Virginia threatened to tie the game midway through the second ... as that would mean the Irish would be hosting a first-round College Football Playoff game.

While the final score might not indicate, Notre Dame football handily defeated Virginia on Senior Day in South Bend. The Irish got on the scoreboard immediately, and didn’t look back as they never trailed the Cavaliers. It was a solid performance for Notre Dame, which saw some good news as no one was injured in the victory.

The Cavaliers enter with some momentum following a 24-19 win over then-No. 23 Pittsburgh last week. Meanwhile, Notre Dame crushed struggling Florida State, 52-3, in the only primetime home game of the regular season.