Another big game for Gavin as Dons cruise
The Notre Dame fan base has a chip on its shoulder when it comes to running back Ty Gavin. The junior isn’t getting the recruiting attention Dons fans think he deserves. The Sun- Times got in on the action in the preseason, leaving Gavin off the list of the area’s top 10 running backs.
“It’s just a little motivation,” Gavin said. “I’m not upset about it or whatever. It’s just more fuel to the fire. I use that. It doesn’t bother me too much.”
Gavin has been unstoppable this season. He turned in another elite performance Saturday at Triton in Notre Dame’s 25- 7 win against rival St. Patrick.
Gavin had 19 carries for 190 yards and three touchdowns. The first touchdown run was a perfect example of why Dons fans are so passionate about Gavin. It looked like he was stopped after five yards, but no whistle blew. Every other player on the field seemed to think the play was over. Not Gavin. He kept his balance, kept his knees churning and broke free for another 30 yards and a touchdown.
St. Patrick junior George Ohanessian’s eight- yard run with 2: 50 to play made it 19- 7 and gave the Shamrocks ( 2- 3, 2- 1 East Suburban Catholic) some hope.
Gavin obliterated it on the Dons’ next possession with a 47- yard touchdown run to seal the win. The intense heat led to a rough second half for both teams, with several fumbles and interceptions. There was a large crowd at kickoff, but most of the fans headed for shelter in the third quarter.
“The heat just changes everything,” Gavin said. “All the energy kind of comes out of you. I think we responded better than they did. It just makes the game a lot tougher. I think we overcame it. We were a little sloppy in the second half but did a good job overall.”
Senior Miles George had 18 carries for 91 yards for the Dons ( 4- 1, 3- 1). Sam English rushed seven times for 34 yards, crucial thirdquarter carries when George and Gavin looked tired.
“That’s what we are,” Notre Dame coach Mike Hennessey said. “We’ve known since the summer we’d be running the football. [ Gavin and George] lugged the mail. We’ve got great blockers in front of them with Jeremy Calder and [ English]. We have a good stable of running backs and can make some things happen.”
Notre Dame’s only loss was at Nazareth in Week 3. The Roadrunners look like they might be one of the state’s elite teams, and the Dons had their chances. “We have to limit our mental mistakes, just snaps and stupid penalties,” Gavin said. “Against Naz, we were right in the game, then fumbled on the goal line three times and had stupid penalties. Without that I think we win.”
Ohanessian had 16 carries for 67 yards for St. Patrick. Shamrocks quarterback Brett Rosenbusch was 7- for- 15 passing for 97 yards. Senior Joey Lombardi had four catches for 78 yards.
“It’s the old cliche, our defense is playing the best when they are on the bench,” Hennessey said. “But when they were out there, they did a good job.”
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