By Garin Turner
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish picked up its first win of the year defeating the California Golden Bears 24-17. With the win, Notre Dame is 1-2 while California falls to 2-1.
After a scoreless first quarter, California got on the board first when QB Jack Plummer found J. Michael Sturdivant for an 18-yard TD 33 seconds into the second quarter.
Notre Dame tied it up 7-7 with 8:54 left in the first half when Chris Tyree scored on a 21-yard pass from Drew Pyne.
A Cal field goal gave them a 10-7 lead at the half. In the third, the Fighting Irish took the lead back on a one-yard score from Audric Estime. Cal would answer back with a one-yard run of its own by Plummer to put them up 17-14 at the end of the third.
Notre Dame tied the game at 17 on a Blake Grupe 47-yard field goal. They took the lead for good with 9:16 left in the game on a six-yard Pyne pass to Michael Mayer.
Both teams struggled on third down. Cal went 4/15 and Notre Dame went 3/12.
Pyne had the two touchdown throws and 150 yards passing in his first career start. Head coach Marcus Freeman got his first victory with the Irish. Estime had 76 yards rushing on 18 carries and the score. Tyree had five receptions for 44 yards and one touchdown.
The Irish avoided a last play collapse. Plummer heaved the ball to the end zone and the ball bounced off several players but the ball ultimately landed on the grass. Plummer threw for the one score and 184 yards.
UP NEXT
Notre Dame travel on Saturday to face North Carolina.
Cal open the Pac-12 season at home on Saturday against Arizona.
