Box Score
SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio – The Notre Dame Falcons shutout the West Liberty Hilltoppers in the second half of Saturday's contest at Mueller Field, and came away with their fourth straight win, in a 30-14 victory over the Hilltoppers. 

In winning for the seventh time this season, the Falcons (7-1, 6-1 MEC) tied a program record, which was set back in 2014, while the loss for the Hilltoppers (3-5, 3-4 MEC) was their second straight following a three-game winning streak. 

For the third week in a row, the Notre Dame defense was absolutely dominant in the second half. Not only did they shutout the Hilltoppers in the second half, but they also limited the West Liberty offense to just 61 yards. Over the last three weeks, the NDC defense has only allowed three points in the second half. 

While there were only seven points scored in the second half, the scoring was fast and furious over the first two minutes of the contest. It all began on the opening kickoff, which was returned 98 yards for a touchdown by Marvelle Ross. It was his second kickoff returned for a touchdown this season, and his third special teams touchdown as well. 

On the very next play from scrimmage, West Liberty tied the game at 7-7, on Dakota Conwell's 76-yard touchdown pass to Max Kapron. 

West Liberty created the game's first turnover on NDC's next drive, falling on a Notre Dame fumble at the NDC 43-yard line. Three plays later, Conwell tossed a 26-yard touchdown pass to Dan Monteroso to give the Hilltoppers a 14-7 lead with 13:11 to play in the first quarter. 

The scoring subsided significantly through the rest of the first quarter. Notre Dame was able to cut into their deficit after Kyle Kaplan nailed a 30-yard field goal at the 11:28-mark in the second quarter to bring NDC within four (14-10). 

The Falcons blocked a West Liberty punt with 7:24 to play in the second quarter, and took over at the WLU 42-yard line. Notre Dame put a seven play drive together, which included a fourth down conversion, and took the lead on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Malik Grove to Emmanuel Smith to give the Falcons a 16-14 lead with 5:15 left in the first half. 

Notre Dame closed out the first half with a 12-play, 52-yard drive, and as time expired at the end of the first half, Grove punched it in from one yard out to give Notre Dame a 23-14 lead at the half. 

The second half belonged to the Notre Dame defense. Notre Dame held Conwell, one of the Mountain East's most dynamic quarterbacks in check. West Liberty had only six first downs in the second half, and they converted on just 1-of-9 (11.1-percent) of their third down opportunities. Over the last two weeks opposing teams have converted on only 6-of-29 (20.6-percent) of their third down chances against the NDC defense. 

The only points in the second half came at the end of an 11-play, 72-yard drive, as Brian Walker found the end zone on a 2-yard touchdown rush to give NDC a 30-14 advantage. 

Walker was Notre Dame's leading rusher, running for 99 yards and a touchdown on a day where the Falcons ran for 220 yards on 51 carries. Grove had 47 yards rushing on the day and completed 18-of-36 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown, while throwing just his second interception of the season. 

Smith was NDC's leading receiver, hauling in nine passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. C.J. Germany hauled in four passes for 30 yards, while BJ Baldwin caught a trio of passes for 10 yards, and both Nateshawn Hargrove and Mitchell Shegos caught one pass each. Shegos has now caught at least one pass in 30 straight games. 

It was once again a collective effort for Notre Dame defensively. One week after setting a program record with 4.5 tackles for a loss, Avent had five tackles on the day, including a pair of sacks. Onslow Williams came away with four tackles and a sack, while Jake Chestnut had four tackles and NDC's lone interception. 

The Falcons will return to action on Thursday night, Oct. 27, when they hit the road and take on one of the only two remaining unbeaten teams in the MEC, No. 23, Fairmont State. Kickoff in Fairmont, W.Va. is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.