Notre Dame Loses Simply Because of Turnovers

On the bright side for Notre Dame High, it won’t take any exhaustive film study to figure out this one.

The Knights’ 21-10 nonleague loss to Crespi (2-2) on Friday at Notre Dame was because of turnovers.

Notre Dame turned the ball over three times, and all were disastrous.

Trying to come back in the second half, Notre Dame fumbled twice on drives that penetrated the Crespi 20.

“We spent the first two weeks of practice working on our running backs, quarterbacks and receivers carrying the ball,” Notre Dame Coach Kevin Rooney said. “We did all kinds of strip drills. Unfortunately it didn’t help. If we stop turning the ball over, we’re going to be a pretty good football team.”

Notre Dame (2-2) fumbled three times in last week’s victory over Glendale, and each led to points for the Dynamiters. For the season, Notre Dame has turned the ball over 10 times and taken it away just three.

The first key fumble was late in the third quarter. Trailing 21-10, Notre Dame had driven to the Crespi six, but was pushed back by a holding call. On the next play, quarterback Jabbar Craigwell was sacked by Mike Friedl. The ball popped loose and was recovered by Mike Zele.

In the fourth quarter, the Knights had driven to the Crespi three when Chris Crawley picked up a muffed handoff.

Crespi’s offense was led by Shaun Williams, who gained 142 yards in 25 carries, but he was hardly dominant. Williams had most of his yards on an 81-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter. He had only one other carry for more than 10 yards and was tackled for a loss four times.

Craigwell completed 10 of 27 passes for 158 yards with one interception. Lei Malieitulua led Knight runners with 65 yards in 10 carries.

But the Knights looked dominant in the first quarter, taking a 10-0 lead. They took the opening drive of the game 61 yards, setting up a 22-yard field goal by Chris Sailer.

Crespi then ran three plays before quarterback Dave Lins, who completed one of four passes for 17 yards, fumbled to Notre Dame’s David Dupetit at the Crespi 39.

The turnover set up a seven-yard touchdown run by Malieitulua with 1 minute 57 seconds to play in the quarter.

Crespi’s first touchdown was set up by Vito Clemente’s 32-yard punt return that gave the Celts the ball at Notre Dame’s 16. The short drive was aided by Williams picking up three yards on fourth and three. Williams scored three plays later from two yards.

The Celts scored the go-ahead touchdown after Clemente intercepted a pass at the Notre Dame 28. Mike Glendenning then caught a 17-yard pass from Lins, giving Crespi a 14-10 halftime lead.