The Irish were very sloppy on offense, as their first three drives were all five plays or less, as they saw the Redhawks take a 3-0 lead. Notre Dame would answer as they found the end zone on their four series as quarterback Riley Leonard ran it in from 8-yards out.

Miami's Mychal Yharbrough forced a fumble on the opening possession of the third quarter, which Luke Evans recovered for the Red and White. Although the score remained 14-3 for most of the period, Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love raced 15 yards to the end zone to extend the home team's advantage at the 4:20 mark.