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The observer | FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022 | ndsmcobserver.com
keys to victory
Keys to victory against BYU: Will the Irish regain strong offensive start in first quarter? By NATE MOLLER Senior Sports Writer
The Irish return to action after their bye week in a Shamrock Series showdown against No. 16 BYU in Las Vegas. The Irish looked impressive in their road victory over UNC, but they will need to be on top of their game this weekend against a very talented Cougars team. Let’s take a look at the keys to victory for the Irish this weekend.
SARAH GRISHAM | The Observer
Irish sophomore running back Logan Diggs finds three-back system success as Notre Dame attempts to regain traction in the 2022-2023 season. Diggs looks for the ball in ND’s recent away game against UNC.
1. Find the end zone in the first quarter The Irish have only scored three points in the first quarter throughout their first four games of the season, and that came in week one against Ohio State. Fortunately for the Irish, their defense has been stellar in the first quarter as well, allowing the Irish to remain within striking range, but some first-quarter offense would be useful. Against a BYU offense that is averaging nearly 35 points per game this season, the
Irish will have to come ready to play out of the gates. BYU quarterback Jaren Hall has been spectacular this season, completing 70.2% of his passes for 1,438 yards and 12 touchdowns. Even if the Irish defense plays well in this one, the Cougars are going to put up some points. For that reason, falling behind early against an experienced, disciplined BYU team will be difficult to overcome later in the game. In past years, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has been very successful at scripting successful first quarter drives, but that has been non-existent this year. The Irish must go after the Cougars from the start in this one and take some early shots down field. An early Irish touchdown is exactly what the Irish will need to shake off any lingering rust from the bye week. If the Irish start the game with a couple of three-and-outs, frustration see BYU PAGE 14
ND women’s soccer
Albert scores twice as Irish thrash Wolfpack By J.J. POST Spor t s Wr iter
T hu rsday n ig ht, Not re Da me soccer moved to 10-2 on t he sea son w it h a 3-0 w i n over Nor t h Ca rol i na State. T he Ir ish sta r ted of f hot, generat i ng a couple of n ice ea rly look s at goa l before d raw i ng a pena lt y i n t he 25t h m i nute. W it hout sen ior m id f ielder a nd reg u la r pena lt y ta ker Madd ie Mercado on t he f ield, t he dut ies fel l to sen ior for wa rd K i k i Va n Za nten, who made no m ista kes send i ng Wol f pack keeper Ma r ia Echeza r reta t he w rong way to g ive Not re Da me t he lead. A f ter rest i ng up at ha l f t i me, a ref reshed Ir ish press took cont rol of t he ga me i n t he second ha l f, l i m iti ng NC State to just t wo shot s. It wa s sophomore m id f ielder Korbi n A lber t who prov ided t he i nsu ra nce,
f i r i ng home a pa i r of goa ls to g ive Not re Da me a com for table 3-0 lead t hey wou ld n’t rel i nqu ish. T he f i rst wa s one of her best t h is sea son, cu rl i ng t he ba l l i nto t he back of t he net f rom just outside t he box . T he f i n ish wa s made more i mpressive by t he fact t he sophomore wa s fa l l i ng dow n, celebrat i ng f rom t he g rou nd a f ter t he ba l l h it t he back of t he net. T he nex t ca me on t he back of a set up by g raduate st udent forwa rd Ol iv ia W i ngate, who picked up t he ba l l at t he ha l f way l i ne a nd d rove for wa rd, event ua l ly spl it t i ng t he defense w it h a pa ss to A lber t. A lber t opted not to shoot t he ba l l on sig ht, def t ly d r ibbl i ng her way a rou nd t h ree Wol f pack defenders to f i nd space a nd f i re home. see SOCCER PAGE 15
MAX PETROSKY | The Observer
The Irish women’s soccer team celebrates during their home game against NC State on October 6. The team will return home to Alumni Stadium to face Florida State, hoping to build on their 3-0 victory.