Niles Notre Dame defense shines in 10-0 win over Nazareth

La GRANGE PARK – Niles Notre Dame defensive lineman Hugh Keany beat his man, saw the ball on the ground and did what he was taught to do – jump on it.

“We work on that all the time in practice,” Keany said. “I know I didn’t scoop it, but I just got on it and grabbed it and held it as tight as I can.”

Nazareth had fumbled the snap and Keany saw the ball lying on the turf. His fourth-quarter fumble recovery led to a Notre Dame field goal that all but sealed a 10-0 win over Nazareth on Saturday at Valenta Stadium in La Grange Park.

It capped a superb defensive effort for Notre Dame (2-3) in a CCL/ESCC crossover game. Nazareth (2-2) couldn’t do anything offensively. The Roadrunners totaled just 153 yards in the game and failed to find the end zone.

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To make matters worse, they lost receiver and defensive back Tyler Morris to an apparent knee injury in the second half. The junior is rated as the No. 3 recruit in the state, according to the 247Sports composite ranking, and the No. 80 recruit in the country in the class of 2022. He has offers from two dozen Division I schools, including much of the Big Ten, Notre Dame and several SEC schools.

Morris had two interceptions in Saturday’s game. Following his second, he absorbed a big hit from a Dons tackler and remained down on the field for several minutes. Morris needed to be helped off the field and walked with crutches after the game.

Nazareth coach Tim Racki said team trainers were optimistic for good news, but it was too soon yet for any diagnosis.

“He’s just incredibly mentally and physically one of the toughest kids I’ve ever coached,” Racki said.

Morris picked off a Notre Dame pass on the final play of the first half. His second interception came late in the third quarter and set up Nazareth at the Notre Dame 33-yard line. He also caught two passes on offense for 14 yards.

“Just watching him play in each phase of the game is just pure excitement, even when people know that he’s getting the ball,” Racki said. “He’s a ball hawk on defense. He’s a Division I talent on defense even though he’s getting recruited as a receiver.”

The two interceptions were the low points for Notre Dame quarterback Vincenzo Ricciardi, but the high point came in the second quarter on a 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Conor O’Boyle.

After a series of punts for both teams to start the game, Notre Dame took over near midfield in the second quarter and drove 51 yards on 10 plays to score the game’s only touchdown. A defensive pass interference penalty against Nazareth kept the drive alive on one third down play moments before the touchdown.

Notre Dame’s offense went almost exclusively to the run game in the second half. Running back Jimmie Fidanzia rushed for 37 yards on 10 carries in the game, while Colin Randazzo matched him with 37 yards on 15 carries.

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The Dons defense was superb throughout. Notre Dame kept the pressure on the Nazareth offensive line. Keany helped lead the charge. At 5-foot-10, 210 pounds, he’s not the biggest defender, but he’s a vocal leader for the Dons and he played beyond his size.

“He’s a two-way player, a three-sport athlete,” Hennessey said. “He plays football, he’s wrestling, he plays baseball, starting catcher. He does everything. He’s just a symbol of what our team is all about. That he was able to get [the fumble recovery] is great, just tremendous.”