On fourth and goal Stanford was unable to get into the endzone. Notre Dame had beaten Stanford. A review confirmed the decision. Stepfan Taylor was stopped short of the goal line as he scrumbled to get into the endzone he fumbled the ball over the goal line. Tommy Rees completed a seven yard touchdown pass to TJ Jones on first overtime drive for Notre Dame.
Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said that you can’t be ahead all of the time and said that “there was no question. His forward progress was stopped” in regards to the final play of the game.
With just over three minutes left, Rees entered as quarterback for Notre Dame. Rees had spent the majority of the game on the bench behind Everett Golson in Saturday’s game against Stanford but was now being called upon to win another one for the Irish.
Golson left the game after a late hit to the head following a scramble for a first down.
Rees came into the game and fired a 12 yard pass over the middle, a play later Stanford was called for pass interference. Notre Dame had reached Stanford’s 13 yard line. Kyle Brindza would be called upon to kick a field goal once the drive stalled out.
The game had not been a pretty one for either team. With a steady stream of rain coming down in South Bend all evening the field was wet which amounted to sloppy play at times for both teams.
Notre Dame scored the first points of the game on Kyle Brindza field goal from 29 yards. In the second quarter a fumble by Golson was returned for a Cardinal touchdown.Stanford added a field goal just before half time.
Everett Golson completed a touchdown of 24 yards to Tyler Eifert early in the fourth quarter. Stanford would notch another field goal.
