South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman prepares to lead his players onto the field for the game against the Miami Redhawks at Notre Dame Stadium. / Matt Cashore-Imagn Images It wasn't pretty whatsoever but it was enough for a 28-3 Notre Dame win over Miami University on Saturday.

At his Sept. 13 inauguration, Father Bob Dowd announced that the university would go ‘need-blind’ and ‘loan-free’ for undergraduate students by replacing loans in financial aid packages with ‘gift aid.

Miami's Mychal Yharbrough forced a fumble on the opening possession of the third quarter, which Luke Evans recovered for the Red and White. Although the score remained 14-3 for most of the period, Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love raced 15 yards to the end zone to extend the home team's advantage at the 4:20 mark.