SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- DeShone Kizer threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score, Josh Adams rushed for 106 yards, and Notre Dame's defense rebounded from a disappointing performance a week ago to help the 18th-ranked Fighting Irish beat Nevada 39-10 on Saturday.
After being held scoreless in the first quarter by Nevada (1-1), the Irish (1-1) took control with a 25-point second quarter -- the most points in the quarter for Notre Dame since scoring 28 points against Pittsburgh in Charlie Weis' debut as coach in 2005. Kizer was 15 of 18 for 156 yards with one interception, and Equanimeous St. Brown led Irish receivers with 6catches for 85 yards.
Both teams struggled with mental errors, highlighted by a safety by Nevada's Ahki Muhammad being called for a safety when he caught a kickoff and carried it out of the end zone, then stepped back into the end zone and kneeled. Justin Yoon missed an extra point for Notre Dame, and the Irish had an interception called back when defensive lineman Khalid Kareem was called for a late hit on Tyler Stewart. It was one of nine penalties for 94 yards by the Irish, including two offensive pass interference calls that nullified long plays. Nevada had 11 penalties for 88 yards.
Stewart, who almost was sacked for a safety in the end zone, also later threw a pass intercepted by defensive lineman Jarron Jones at the 8 that he returned 4 yards to set up a touchdown catch by Kevin Stepherson. C.J. Sanders also had a TD catch set up by his own 24-yard punt return. Tarean Folston and Dexter Williams added rushing touchdowns.
The Wolf Pack avoided the shutout when Wyatt Demps caught a 44-yard pass from Stewart in the third quarter to set up a 27-yard field goal by Brent Zuzo. Jaxson Kincaide added a 6-yard TD run against Notre Dame's reserves late in the fourth quarter. Stewart was 10-of-23 passing for 113 yards and James Butler, who rushed for 1,342 yards last season, was held to 50 yards on 17 carries.
ATLANTIC COAST
In games involving Atlantic Coast Conference teams, Deshaun Watson threw three touchdown passes and No. 2 Clemson avoided a host of mistakes to hold off pesky Troy, 30-24, in Clemson, S.C. ... Deondre Francois threw three touchdown passes and Dalvin Cook ran for two more scores in Florida State's 52-8 victory over depleted Charleston Southern in Tallahassee, Fla. ... Patrick Towles threw back-to-back touchdown passes to Jeff Smith, and Mike Knoll connected on a pair of field goals to help Boston College beat host Massachusetts 26-7. ... Anthony Scott scored the go-ahead touchdown with 5:49 left to help East Carolina beat North Carolina State 33-30 in Greenville, N.C. ... Justin Thomas ran for a touchdown, backup quarterback Matthew Jordan had a couple of short scores and Georgia Tech defeated Mercer 35-10 in Atlanta. ... Freshman Cade Carney rushed for three touchdowns, and Wake Forest beat Duke 24-14 in Durham, N.C. ... Mark Walton rushed for 155 yards and four touchdowns, and No. 25 Miami shook off a slow start to beat Florida Atlantic 38-10 in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Sports on 09/11/2016