Notre Dame 38, Wake Forest 0
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- If voters in any of the polls associated with the BCS standings happened to miss the Notre Dame football team's win over Wake Forest on Saturday, the final score pretty much tells the story.
After a season full of narrow escapes, the third-ranked Irish (11-0) were finally able dominate in a 38-0 conquest over the Demon Deacons (5-6).
How that plays nationally won't be known for sure until the new polls come out Sunday.
In the meantime, the Irish can bask in the knowledge that they put their best foot forward.
In just over two quarters, Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson threw for 346 yards (20 of 30, 3 TDs, 1 interception). Running back Cierre Wood rushed for 150 yards and a TD before garbage time set in.
Notre Dame's defense, ranked No. 1 in the country in points allowed, lived up to its reputation by sending Wake Forest punter Alex Kinal on the field early and quite often.
With Tommy Rees taking over for Golson midway through the third quarter, the Irish extended the blowout to 38-0 with a 48-yard burst by Wood that was pivotal in a drive that George Atkinson finished off from 9 yards.
A 38-yard connection between Golson and tight end Tyler Eifert marched the ball inside the Wake Forest 10. Three passes into the end zone came up empty, which allowed Kyle Brindza to come on for a 25-yard field goal that pushed the score to 31-0 at halftime.
It didn't take long in the second quarter for TJ Jones to get into the act. The Irish receiver was wide open on a 34-yard pass from Golson that ended in a 28-0 lead.
Notre Dame's assault in the first quarter put all phases of its offense on display. Two drives buoyed by the run were followed by one premised on the pass. Fifth-year receiver John Goodman got behind the Wake Forest defense and hauled in a 50-yard pass for a 21-0 lead.
Six minutes into the game, Notre Dame asserted itself.
Wood was a dominant figure in the first two Irish drives. On their first possession, Wood took an option pitch from Golson and ran 68 yards for a 7-0 lead. Wake Forest fumbled on its first possession, giving Notre Dame the ball near midfield. A 20-yard burst by Wood to the Demon Deacons 1-yard line set the table for Golson to loft a short pass to Eifert for a 14-0 advantage.
