VIDEO: Notre Dame's Defense Dominates Second Half to Avoid Upset Against Virginia

The No. 18 Virginia Cavaliers gave the No. 10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish all they could handle in the first half on Saturday, taking a 17-14 lead into the break at Scott Stadium. However, the final two quarters were an ENTIRELY different story as Brian Kelly's squad erupted for a convincing victory to avoid what was once a genuine upset bid. The Irish were leading 21-17 with less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter when their defense bull-rushed Cavs quarterback Bryce Perkins and forced him to fumble. Notre Dame defensive end Adetokunbo Ogundeji subsequently scooped up the loose pigskin and waltzed into the end zone to give the Irish a 28-17 lead, one they would not look back from.

They also scored on this short rush to make it 21-17 after the defense forced a turnover at the start of the half.

ND would tack on another touchdown in the fourth quarter to put the finishing touch on a dominant second half, winning 35-20 to avenge last Saturday's road defeat against Georgia at Sanford Stadium.