Notre Dame escaped with a dramatic 56-53 overtime victory against Neenah on August 21st in a high-scoring defensive struggle at Rocket Stadium. The game featured explosive offensive performances from both squads, with Notre Dame ultimately prevailing thanks to a crucial trick play in the extra period that exemplified creative play-calling.
Kingston Allen, a Wisconsin Badgers commitment, delivered a standout performance for the Tritons, accumulating 464 rushing yards on 39 carries and scoring seven touchdowns. When Notre Dame trailed 53-50 in overtime, Allen took a direct snap and pitched the ball back to quarterback Jackson Bouthilet, who connected with tight end Joey Massey on a 25-yard touchdown pass to secure the win. Allen had suggested the play to coaches after seeing a similar formation work earlier in the drive.
Neenah’s offense proved equally formidable, with senior quarterback Ashton VanBeek accounting for 265 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns. The Rockets mounted a furious comeback from a 36-22 deficit early in the third quarter, scoring 28 consecutive points to take a 50-36 fourth-quarter lead before Notre Dame staged their own rally to force overtime.
Despite the loss, Neenah coach Steve Jung praised his team’s competitive effort, acknowledging that Notre Dame simply executed slightly better down the stretch. The thrilling matchup showcased both offensive firepower and defensive resilience from two evenly matched programs in Week 1 action.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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