The University of Notre Dame football team held its 94th annual spring game on April 24, as the Blue (offense) narrowly defeated the Gold (defense) by a score of 41-40 in front of 45,308 fans. The event took place on a sunny afternoon and drew the second-largest crowd in the history of Notre Dame’s spring games.
The outcome was decided by a final 43-yard field goal from Spencer Porath. “The kick is good! #GoIrish | @SpencerPorath,” read a post from the official Notre Dame Football account after Porath’s successful attempt.
Offensively, three quarterbacks led the Blue team to a combined total of 222 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Blake Hebert was noted for his efficiency, completing seven out of eleven passes for a team-high 103 yards and one touchdown without any interceptions. Noah Grubbs contributed with seven completions on fourteen attempts for sixty-four yards, including one touchdown and one interception.
On the ground, Aneyas Williams rushed for thirty-eight net yards on ten carries and scored once. Jonaz Walton added thirty-three rushing yards over eleven carries with an additional touchdown. Cam Williams topped all receivers with fifty-seven yards on three catches, highlighted by a fifty-three-yard reception. Devin Fitzgerald caught three passes for fifty-four yards and scored on a twenty-eight-yard play. Elijah Burress had two receptions totaling fifteen yards with an eight-yard touchdown catch.
Defensively, Gold recorded two interceptions—one each by Jaylen Sneed and Ethan Long—and totaled three sacks along with five tackles for loss. Sneed also led his squad with four tackles while Armel Mukam and Logan Thomas each registered solo sacks; Keon Keeley and Rodney Dunham shared another sack. The secondary broke up eight passes during the contest.
The close finish capped off what was described as an entertaining matchup between offense and defense as both sides prepare for upcoming challenges in their season.
