Late Carmel scores down Notre Dame

Updated: September 9, 2011 10:59PM

Notre Dame had visions of making it a game following a fourth-quarter touchdown drive. But Michael Panico dashed those hopes in just 15 seconds.

The Carmel senior returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to bump the lead from 12-7 to 19-7. The Corsairs (2-1, 2-1) cruised from that moment to win 26-7 Friday night in Niles.

“Jordan Kos and Jack Schoen were talking back and forth (prior to the kickoff),” Panico said. “They said, ‘let’s get the No. 3 guy (third guy from the right).”

Panico found the open hole, received another good block from Tyler Lees and had just the kicker to beat.

“I saw the kicker in my peripheral vision,” Panico said. “I saw the pylon, and I thought, ‘I had to get there.’”

Corsairs coach Andy Bitto was happy to see No. 13 get the ball.

“I thought they (Dons) might try an onside kick,” Bitto said. “But they kicked it to the fastest guy in Lake County.”

The other Carmel touchdowns were scored by Panico (11-yard run) and Brian Brennan (3-yard run). Kicker Steven O’Block added field goals measuring 47 and 35 yards. O’Block has booted six field goals this season.

Kos led the rushing attack for Carmel, picking up 103 yards on 19 carries.

Notre Dame (0-3, 0-3) leaned heavily on the right arm of quarterback Nick Pieruccini. He completed 22 of 45 passes for 253 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown pass to Conner Gavin with 9:55 left in the fourth quarter.

“Nick is as good as we’ve had here,” said Notre Dame coach Mike Hennessey.

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