Notre Dame Gives Pitt a Holiday, 24-7

Notre Dame got the lucky break and the big plays that were missing during their worst start in the school’s 114-year history.

Carlyle Holiday ran for 122 yards, including a 67-yard touchdown run, and the Irish (1-3) recovered five turnovers in beating Pittsburgh, 24-7, Saturday, scoring one more point than they had in their three losses combined.

The biggest play, however, turned out to be a misplay by the Panthers (1-3).

After falling behind, 10-7, in the third quarter, the Panthers appeared ready to score as receiver R.J. English was running untouched at the four when the ball slipped out of his hands.

“I’m not sure what happened,” English said. “I turned around, the end zone was there and I guess I forgot about the fundamentals.”

Notre Dame safety Abram Elam, who had an interception earlier, recovered the ball on the one.

“I was just running to make a play,” Elam said. “It just so happened the guy put it in my arms.”

Irish Coach Bob Davie had talked all week about the lack of big plays by Notre Dame this season.

“It was huge. We deserved it,” Davie said. “They were going in for the go-ahead touchdown, then, the next thing you know, we’re going the other way.”

Tony Fisher broke through the line and looked as though he might be on his way to a 98-yard touchdown run, but pulled his right hamstring and fell at the 30.

Two plays later, Holiday started running left, stopped, cut up the middle, broke one tackle and appeared to be stopped until he was hit by Pitt defensive back Shawn Robinson and broke free, outracing defenders to the end zone to give the Irish a 17-7 lead with 1:06 left in the third quarter.

“They stretched the offense out and I just cut back,” Holiday said. “I thought I was down. but I just kept my feet going and I burst out of there. It caught me by surprise.”

Before the runs by Fisher and Holiday, the Irish had run just one play for more than 20 yards this season.

The Irish, aided by a pass interference call on cornerback Torrie Cox, added a one-yard touchdown run by Julius Jones with 5:13 left in the game, his second touchdown of the game.

Nicholas Setta had a 40-yard field goal.

It was the fewest points given up by Notre Dame since a 30-0 victory over Navy in 1998.