Notre Dame’s Ricky Ballard (5) is tackled by Lookout Valley defender Vann Scribner (13) in a 7-7, first half tie Friday at Lookout Valley. Taylor Bankston (12), left, pursues on the play.
The type of big play Lookout Valley desired developed on the second snap of the game Friday night.
But it never happened again.
Notre Dame adjusted its defense and rode the shoulders of its offensive line and the legs of freshman Ricky Ballard to a 23-13 win over the Yellow Jackets.
Ballard, who began the season third on the Irish depth chart, scored three touchdowns and rushed for 201 yards on 25 carries.
“Ricky is a hard runner and he has that vision that’s hard to teach,” Notre Dame coach Charles Fant said. “We found out against Bledsoe County that we could run the ball inside. Tonight was the toughest he’s run it.”