Notre Dame's Everett Golson leads Irish to victory in historic night

Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson led the No. 8 Fighting Irish to a 31-15 victory over Syracuse Saturday night in a historic, yet frustrating game.

The pivot completed 25 straight passes at one point, setting a school record.

Still, Golson faltered in the fourth quarter when he threw a pick-6 to Syracuse safety Durell Eskridge, the senior's fourth turnover of the night.

"Sloppy. Very, very sloppy," said Golson after being asked after the game how he felt about his performance. "I know my team expects more of me, so I have to come out and be better. I was lucky it didn't cost us as much as it should have."

The streaky affair for Golson saw him throw touchdowns on consecutive possessions in the second quarter to sophomore receiver William Fuller.

Yet, in the opening frame, he lost two turnovers – the first of the season for the quarterback.

Prior to Saturday night, Golson hadn't committed a turnover in nearly two years. He threw an interception in the Irish's 2012 BCS Championship game loss to Alabama, and never played a down in 2013 due to an academic suspension.

Golson's numbers at the end of the night were still outstanding – 33-for-40 for 363 yards and four touchdowns – but the offense's five turnovers were glaring.

Notre Dame's coach Brian Kelly was also asked what he learned, following the conclusion of the contest: "That you can't turn the ball over five times and expect to win," he said. Fortunately his squad still came out on top.

Moreover, Golson can only wonder what could have been after a historic incompletion to Corey Robinson.

Fuller ended the day with six receptions for 119 yards and the pair of scores, while Robinson chipped in with eight catches for 91 yards and a touchdown.

Syracuse's offense was merely pedestrian, as quarterback Terrel Hunt tossed 294 yards, going 22-for-38. He went touchdown-less, while tossing an interception.