The Notre Dame Varsity Football team jumped out to a big early lead and the defense made it stand up as the Irish opened up the 2016 season with a convincing 37-0 win over Redford Thurston.
After forcing a three-and-out on the Eagles’ opening possession junior quarterback Eli McLean, making his first varsity start, found Daniel Nemmert over the middle to put Notre Dame up 7-0 just 50 seconds into the game. A Thurston fumble on their next play from scrimmage once again set the Irish up with great field position and McLean connected with Josh Johnson to give Notre Dame a 14-0 lead less than two minutes into the game. After another stop of Thurston, a blocked punt put the Irish in position to score once again and McLean would run a touchdown in himself to give the Irish a 21-0 lead after the first quarter. Luke Adams and Zach Atkins would add rushing touchdowns in the second quarter for Notre Dame, who took a 35-0 lead into halftime and held the Eagles off the board in the second half.
McLean finished 6 for 7 passing for 86 yards and two touchdowns while addding 65 yards on the ground. Adams carried the ball 15 times for 66 yards and a touchdown. Notre Dame (1-0) travels to Tecumseh next week, who defeated Chandler Park 15-14 in their opener this week.