Notre Dame rallies from 34-3 deficit but Arizona State pulls away late

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Taylor Kelly threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Demario Richard in the fourth quarter and Lloyd Carrington followed with a 58-yard interception return for another score, helping No. 9 Arizona State withstand a furious second-half rally to beat No. 10 Notre Dame, 55-31, yesterday.

The Sun Devils (8-1) overwhelmed Notre Dame early with a string of turnovers and big plays, racing to a 24-3 lead by the opening minute of the second quarter.

The Irish (7-2) charged back with 21 straight points, pulling to 34-31 when Everett Golson hit Amir Carlisle with a 25-yard touchdown pass.

But the Sun Devils had a rally of their own, scoring three touchdowns in the final 4:39 to remain firmly in the playoff mix.

Notre Dame is all but out of the playoff hunt after Golson threw four interceptions and lost a fumble.

Kelly threw for 224 yards on 17-for-28 passing and capped one of Arizona State's biggest wins with a last-second, 2-yard scoring run.

Golson finished with 446 yards on 22-for-41 passing and two touchdowns, but he has 17 turnovers in the past six games, including two interceptions returned for touchdowns by the Sun Devils. He also was sacked seven times yesterday.

Down 34-3 in the second quarter, Notre Dame got rolling on Golson's 9-yard TD pass to William Fuller with 11 seconds left in the half.

Then in the third quarter, Cam McDaniel sandwiched a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs around a fumbled snap by holder Hunter Smith on a short field goal, and Amir Carlisle was left wide open for a 25-yard touchdown that pulled the Irish within 34-31.