By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Notre Dame tops Duke 27-13 in ACC play.

1. It seems a little strange to say, but Notre Dame now has an official win as an ACC football member. A league participant in other sports, circumstances recently shifted the Fighting Irish into the familiar conference. Though previously playing six ACC opponents a season, this victory, as a current league team, is history made. It will probably be a trivia question for years to come.

2. Running back Kyren Williams was exceptional for Notre Dame. He ran 19 times for 112 yards and two touchdowns, adding a 75-yard reception. Consider it a breakout game was a player who is clearly going to be an offensive focal point for the Fighting Irish and is becoming a national name.

3. Overall, Notre Dame was the more physical team. The Fighting Irish outrushed Duke 178 yards to 75, with 4.2 yards per carry compared to 2.5. Notre Dame’s defensive front did a really nice job preventing the Blue Devils from getting into a rhythm running the football.

4. Notre Dame’s early fourth quarter response to a Duke touchdown that pulled the Blue Devils within four points was one of the most important sequences of the game. With momentum seemingly slipping, the Fighting Irish responded with an impressive 15-play, 83-yard touchdown drive, one culminating with a 17-yard Ian Book touchdown pass to Avery Davis. Notre Dame outscored Duke 10-0 in the fourth quarter.

5. Chase Brice was pretty effective in his Duke debut, throwing for 259 yards against a very good Notre Dame defense. There is plenty of reason for optimism moving forward for the Blue Devils. It was also powerful to see the helmet changes for Duke, with black “D” decals on the side and a black fist on the back.