Big East: Eagles eke out another close victory over Irish
By Associated Press
Published October 24, 2004
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Paul Peterson threw a 30-yard touchdown to Tony Gonzalez with 54 seconds left to give Boston College a 24-23 victory over Notre Dame on Saturday.
The Eagles have won four in a row over the Irish, including 14-7 two years ago when Notre Dame was unbeaten and 41-39 11 years ago to deny them a shot at the national title.
"It hurts," Irish coach Tyrone Willingham said. "We let it slip out of our hands. This was an important game for the season, for the program."
The Eagles dominated the second half after trailing 20-7, outgaining the Irish 319-122. The Irish gained just 24 yards rushing.
"At halftime it was time for us to make a stand," BC coach Tom O'Brien said.
Peterson, 27-of-41 for 383 yards and 19-of-23 for 297 yards in the second half, hit Joel Hazard for 21 yards to make it 20-14. His 17-yarder to Hazard set up Ryan Ohlinger's 20-yard field goal that made it 20-17. And Peterson was 6-of-7 for 83 yards on the final drive.
UCONN 45, TEMPLE 31: Dan Orlovsky threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns and Cornell Brockington rushed for two touchdowns for the host Huskies. The win ended UConn's six-game losing streak against Temple, which has lost 11 consecutive league games.
After Larry Taylor returned the opening kickoff 97 yards, Orlovsky made it 14-0 on the third play of UConn's first possession with a 90-yard touchdown to Jason Williams, the third longest in school history. The pass also was Orlovsky's 74th touchdown, a school record.
Brockington's 61-yard run with 3:45 left in the first quarter made it 21-0.
PITT 41, RUTGERS 17: Tyler Palko threw three touchdowns for the host Panthers. The Scarlet Knights failed to win their third in a row for the first time since 1992.
Pitt scored on its first possession, Joe DelSardo's one-handed, diving catch of an 18-yard pass. Two more Palko touchdowns and Josh Lay's 87-yard interception return (on fourth down) helped make it 38-3 at halftime.
