Tae Johnson’s Pick-Six Powers Notre Dame to Fast Start Against Pitt

PITTSBURGH, Pa. (WNDU) – The No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish jumped to an early lead against No. 22 Pittsburgh on Saturday afternoon, showcasing their defense and offense. Just moments after Jeremiyah Love scored a impressive 56-yard touchdown run, defensive back Tae Johnson intercepted a pass from Pitt’s Mason Heintschel and returned it 48 yards for a touchdown, increasing the Irish’s lead to 14-0.

The interception marked Johnson’s fourth of the season and contributed to Notre Dame’s strong defensive performance, with the Irish defense now boasting 17 interceptions this year.

Following Johnson’s pick-six, the Panthers managed to get on the scoreboard with a 24-yard field goal from Sam Carpenter, cutting the Irish’s lead to 14-3 in the second quarter. However, the Pitt offense struggled to establish any significant rhythm against Notre Dame’s defensive unit.

As the game progressed, notable plays included CJ Carr‘s attempted passes, which were thwarted by strong defensive coverage from Pitt, especially from cornerback Javon McIntyre. In one critical moment, Carr’s pass to favorite target Eli Raridon fell incomplete on fourth-and-goal, forcing Notre Dame to relinquish possession deep in opposing territory.

The Irish defense kept up the pressure, forcing the Panthers to punt multiple times. The second quarter demonstrated continued offensive challenges for Pitt, with Heintschel’s completions stifled by Notre Dame’s relentless defense.

Notre Dame aims to maintain momentum in this crucial ACC matchup, and fans remain hopeful for a statement win as both teams vie for advantages in their respective standings. With the first half coming to a close, attention is now on whether the Irish can solidify their lead going into the second half.