Quick Game Recap: Irish Survive Thriller vs. Pitt

Phew, that was about as close of an upset as you can get in college football!

Here are some quick thoughts following this win.

• Hats off to Pitt for playing a tough game. They didn't have a ton of yards but they were efficient through 3 quarters and they scored more points against Notre Dame than anyone else has in 2012.
• Great game by Panther running back Ray Graham. He finished with 172 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown. That's probably going to be the top production for a running back against the Irish defense this season.
• Turnovers almost came back to haunt the Irish. Three coughed up on the day and the Irish forced none.
• Besides the end zone pick, which was a terrible decision, Everett Golson played great again. Loved the way he brought the team back---so clutch down the stretch with a late touchdown throw, 2-point conversion, and the game winning touchdown.
• Not sure why Rees started the second half. I think we're inching closer to his playing time being severely limited.
• I wonder if Cierre Wood will get anymore carries this season after his goal line fumble in overtime?
• Tons of little mental errors on the day.
• Special teams were about as bad as they've been during the Kelly era---save for any turnovers on punt or kick returns.
• Te'o had a VERY quiet game. He always racks up tackles no matter what but I can't believe his stats would be that great for this game.
• Notre Dame was a very solid 10 for 20 on 3rd down. Pitt was held to just 1 for 14.
• Overtime has skewed the total yards a little bit, but the Irish gained 522 and were +214 on the night.
• DaVaris Daniels had his biggest game of his career so far (7 catches, 86 yards).
• The Irish were hurt a bunch of time on screens by Pitt.
• With the help from Golson's 74 yards, the Irish ran for 230 yards overall. That's a nice day.

9-0.

More to come over the next couple days.