Chattanooga Christian receiver Barrott Bickley tries to catch a pass ahead of coverage from Notre Dame defender Auston Banks.Notre Dame's performance wasn't just methodical, and it wasn't just opportunistic. It was complete.
"This is by far the best we've played this year. It was more like Notre Dame football with guys flying around and hustling," Fighting Irish coach Charles Fant said following Friday's 42-7 victory over previously unbeaten Chattanooga Christian. "So much better than last week -- we took another step forward."
The Irish came within 10 seconds of a shutout, the Chargers scoring on a 4-yard pass from Zach Mercer to Ben Moore.
The fact that the score came against reserves won't keep the Irish from chowing on doughnuts Sunday afternoon.
"Put that seven [points] on me," Fant said. "The young guys have worked hard and deserved to play. I'll buy the doughnuts."
The Irish depended heavily on turnovers, getting two fumble recoveries that led to scores, two interceptions and a motivational punt block by Joe Dossett that the big tackle returned for a touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
Notre Dame senior runner Auston Banks also had a good night, gaining 157 yards on 22 carries and scoring twice. He took full advantage of the Chargers' awareness of Louisville-bound Irish receiver Kareem Orr.
"That little guy is so powerful when he runs," Fant said. "Everybody looks just at his speed, but he broke so many tackles. He persevered and kept this legs churning."
The offensive linemen got a round of applause from their teammates because of their work as well.
"We picked it up a lot from last week. We've been working harder in practice and trying to get them more time in the backfield," said Irish lineman Hunter Whiting.
Orr did get a TD, the first of six for the Irish, on a 9-yard pass from Alex Darras just over four minutes into the second period.
"He got four or five passes, but he's a pretty good decoy, too," Fant said, "and when they got to overplaying him, the run went that much better."
The last thing the Irish wanted was to let CCS hang around and have an opportunity to build some confidence.
"We started off slow, but the second quarter was big," Fant said. "We had a good drive for the first TD, and then Joe blocking the punt and returning it."
It was Dossett's score that took the optimistic winds from the Chargers' sails.
"I came through clean," he said. "I came close the series before, and coaches got onto me about letting up. I switched sides and brushed past the guard and got it."
A Josh Russell fumble recovery set up Notre Dame's third score, a 3-yard run by Banks, and a 21-0 halftime lead.
They finished it off with a 6-yard pass from Darras to William Montgomery, a 2-yard run by Banks and a 31-yard interception return by Patrick Johnson.
Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765. Follow him at Twitter.com/wardgossett.