Notre Dame fans expecting a blowout got a nail-biter instead, as the No. 12 Fighting Irish narrowly escaped Chestnut Hill with a 25-10 victory over a determined Boston College squad. The game’s turning point? A jaw-dropping 94-yard touchdown run by sophomore running back Jeremiyah Love that slammed the door on a potential Eagles comeback and electrified Irish faithful everywhere.
A Gritty Battle in Chestnut Hill
Heading into Saturday’s matchup, Notre Dame (now 6-2) was a heavy favorite—by nearly four touchdowns—against a Boston College team with just one win to its name. But the Eagles, playing at home, refused to roll over. The first quarter ended scoreless, and the Irish led by only five at halftime, 12-7.
Boston College (1-8) kept things close deep into the fourth quarter, trailing just 18-10 after capitalizing on Notre Dame’s special teams miscues and missed kicks. With just over 11 minutes left, the Eagles were threatening to tie the game when Notre Dame safety Adon Shuler intercepted a pass inside the Irish five-yard line, halting the drive and setting the stage for Love’s heroics.
Jeremiyah Love’s Record-Breaking Run
On the very next play, Love took a handoff up the middle, bounced to the left sideline, and outran the entire Boston College defense for a 94-yard touchdown. The run was not only the longest play of the game but also marked Love’s second career 90+ yard touchdown—a feat no other Notre Dame player has ever accomplished.
“We know there’s a lot of things to clean up,” head coach Marcus Freeman admitted after the game.
“The challenges will get tougher. ... As you move farther into November, everything is magnified.”Defense and Turnovers: The Unsung Heroes
While Love’s run stole the headlines, Notre Dame’s defense quietly dominated. Linebacker Drayk Bowen racked up 14 tackles, a sack, and two tackles for loss, anchoring a unit that forced three turnovers and recorded five sacks. The Irish secondary continued its hot streak, with Tae Johnson snagging two interceptions and Shuler’s red-zone pick proving pivotal.
Notre Dame’s defense has now intercepted 12 passes in its last four games, matching a program record set in 1977.
Special Teams Woes and Penalties
Despite the win, the Irish left plenty of room for improvement. Three missed kicks and a slew of penalties kept Boston College in the game far longer than expected. The offense sputtered at times, and the special teams unit struggled to find consistency.
What This Means for Notre Dame
With the victory, Notre Dame becomes bowl eligible for the ninth straight season and keeps its slim College Football Playoff hopes alive. However, the close call against a struggling Boston College team is a reminder that the Irish will need to tighten up as they head into the season’s final stretch.
Key Takeaways
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Jeremiyah Love’s 94-yard touchdown was the game’s defining moment and a new milestone in Notre Dame history.
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Notre Dame’s defense continues to shine, forcing turnovers and making big plays when it matters most.
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Special teams and penalties remain areas of concern as the Irish look to finish the season strong.
Notre Dame fans can breathe a sigh of relief—for now. But as November football heats up, the Irish will need to clean up their mistakes if they hope to make a serious postseason run.
Sources
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2. Notre Dame's “rankings journey” hits a wall after the bye week
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4. Can Notre Dame win the rest of its 10 regular season games?
5. Breaking Down Notre Dame’s Win Over Boston College — Stat by Stat
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7. Boston College vs Notre Dame - Football - 11/1/2025 - Box Score
8. BC Football Countdown to Kickoff: Notre Dame Preview
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10. Recap: Pitt 48, Boston College 7 — Frailty, Apathy, and a Program ...
11. #12 Notre Dame vs. Boston College Football: Betting Preview ...
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13. [PDF] Penn State bus crash kills 2, sends I 06 to hospital
