Notre Dame remembers the Alamodome with 44-6 rout of Army

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Someone forgot to tell all these folks Notre Dame’s football team is struggling this season.

More than 45,000 fans amped up the energy of the Alamodome – and the rest of the city of San Antonio, for that matter – as the Irish (4-6) celebrated their Shamrock Series event Texas style, with a bigger-than-life 44-6 victory over Army (5-5) Saturday.

The Irish exploded with 38 points in the first half, their biggest production in the first 30 minutes in five years, and coasted the rest of the way.

It took 12 seconds for the rout to get started. That’s how long it took C.J. Sanders to field the opening kickoff at the Irish 8-yard line and return it 92 yards for the game’s first score.

After that, the Irish scored on each of their next five possessions. Last week, in its one-point loss to Navy, Notre Dame had six possessions the entire game and scored on five.

Tight end Durham Smythe had touchdown receptions of 10 and 31 yards. Kevin Stepherson hauled in a 37-yarder, and Josh Adams scored from two yards out.