[dropcap]A[/dropcap]mir Carlisle’s 25-yard touchdown catch put Notre Dame within three with just over 6:37 left in the game. What was at one point a 31-point deficit had now become easily manageable — and winnable.
But as the case had been all day, turnovers led to their ultimate defeat at the hands of the Arizona State Sun Devils, 55-31.
Just minutes after Carlisle’s seemingly game-saving catch, Arizona State quarterback Taylor Kelly targeted Demario Richard for a 4-yard touchdown pass to extend their lead by 10. The game was sealed with 3:41 remaining, when Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson was picked off for the fourth time on the day, this time by Lloyd Carrington, who returned the ball 58 yards for the pick-six.
Carrington’s interception and following touchdown was the second on the day for the Sun Devils. Demarious Randall picked off Golson seconds into the second quarter and returned the ball for 59 yards.
“It’s all on me, really,” Golson told the press following the game Saturday. “You play with fire as much as I did today you are going to get burned eventually.”
Golson threw the ball for 446 yards, but was responsible for a total of five turnovers, including three within a four minute time frame in the first half. The turnovers bring him to a total of 17 over the span of the last six games, something that has hindered the Fighting Irish in big games against Florida State, North Carolina and Navy — if not costing them those games then nearly costing them.
Kelly had an interception of his own, but secured three touchdowns by going 17-of-28 threw the air for 224 yards and capped off the game with a rushing score of his own. Golson went 22-of-41.
“This game was set up for our offense to win the game,” Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. “We put our defense in such a bad situation today.”
Notre Dame gave up a total of 412 yards and was able to shut down the Arizona State offense for most of the second half. Things fells apart on both sides for the Irish in the closing minutes, however.
Arizona State’s 21 unanswered points scored in the final 6:37 awarded them the victory and a strong chance at making the college football playoffs.
“Getting a win on a national stage like that is big for this program,” said Taylor Kelly.
Notre Dame falls to 7-2 on the year, essentially knocking them out of the playoff picture. The Irish will now be playing for a lower-tiered bowl berth.
Northwestern will visit Notre Dame Saturday for the Irish’s next-to-last home game, with kickoff slate for 3:30 p.m. The Pit will be at Saturday’s game, so be sure to stick with us for in-game highlights and updates.
