Notre Dame survives sloppy play; BC not so lucky

Sometimes, winning sloppy can be the best learning experience for a team.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish learned that firsthand on Saturday, topping Syracuse, 31-15, in a performance that left much to be desired. The Irish turned the ball over a season-high five times.

“You could tell in the locker room there wasn’t the normal chatter, excitement,” said Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly. “They knew they did not play the kind of football necessary to win. This game will get you beat week in and week out, but we made enough big plays to overcome it.”

Quarterback Everett Golson committed four of those turnovers — two interceptions and two fumbles. However, the senior also threw for 362 yards and four touchdowns on 32-of-39 passing, completing 25 straight passes at one point to set a school record.

William Fuller led the team in receptions, catching six passes for 119 yards and two scores.

With the victory, the Irish remained undefeated.

Meanwhile, the Boston College Eagles weren’t able to survive their sloppy outing.

The Eagles conceded 10 fourth-quarter points, falling to Colorado State, 24-21. It was a game in which the team had led 14-0.

“The toughest thing about this loss is just watching the way we lost it,” Boston College coach Steve Addazio said. “We had a chance to end the game [both offensively and defensively]. That’s what’s going to be hard about this game.”

Quarterback Tyler Murphy continued to rack up yards on the ground, rushing for 79 yards on 16 carries. But he could have been better through the air, throwing for 169 yards and an interception — late in the fourth quarter — on 12-of-18 passing.

Freshman running back Jon Hilliman continued his stellar play, rushing for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 24 carries. He’s now found the end zone six times in the last three games.

The Eagles (3-2) head into a bye week before making the trip to Carter-Finley Stadium to take on North Carolina State on Oct. 11.

The No. 8-ranked Irish (4-0) prepare for a key matchup in the College Football Race, when No. 16 Stanford comes to town next Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET on NBC).

Results for Catholic colleges around the US

Catholic schools, in italics below, went 20-12 this weekend

Division I FBS

Notre Dame 31
Syracuse 15

Colorado State 24
Boston College 21

Division I FCS

Fordham 45
Holy Cross 16

Colgate 19
Georgetown 0

Southeastern Louisiana 63
Incarnate Word 7

St. Francis 80
Virginia-Lynchburg 0

San Diego 20
Marist 16

Villanova 41
Penn 7