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Notre Dame wins 'Holy War' against longtime nemesis Boston College

Irish beat the curse, 20-16

By
AJ VOELPEL,
IrishCentral.com Sport Columnist
Published Saturday, October 24, 2009, 8:00 PM
Updated Monday, October 26, 2009, 12:01 PM

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Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen scrambles in Boston College game
Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen scrambles in Boston College game


AJ Voelpel column / Notre Dame vs. Boston College report card / Click here

Sean O'Shea column / Fighting Irishman Kyle McCarthy wins it / Click here

Sean O'Shea column / The soft side of ND football Coach Charlie Weis / Click here

The faded gold paint and gray spots on the helmet of Notre Dame’s Kapron Lewis- Moore told the story.

Despite five Boston College turnovers, it wasn’t until a late interception by Notre Dame linebacker Brian Smith that the Irish cemented a 20-16 victory in the latest installment of the "Holy War."  It was their first win over the Eagles since 2000.

Golden Tate took a 15-yard pass from Jimmy Clausen and turned it into a pretty 36-yard touchdown for the go ahead score with just over eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.  Tate finished with 11 catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns. 

Clausen, who appeared to have injured his shoulder on a big hit in the third quarter, stayed in the game and threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns.  It wasn’t his most impressive game of the season, but it was enough to keep Notre Dame’s BCS hopes alive, and possibly his Heisman chances. 

Boston College running back Montell Harris, who rushed for 264 yards a week ago, was held to a measly 38 yards on 22 carries.  Harris also fumbled twice, including one inside the 5-yard-line of Notre Dame on a second and goal. 

However, quarterback Dave Shinskie and wide receiver Rich Gunnell picked up his slack.  Shinskie was slicing Notre Dame’s sketchy secondary all afternoon.  Gunnell smoked Notre Dame for 10 catches, a game high 179 yards and a touchdown. 

But once again with the game on the line, Notre Dame’s defense found a way to seal the win.  The pick was one of three interceptions thrown by Shinskie, who finished with 279 yards passing.  Shinskie was making his bid to be the third freshman quarterback to beat the Irish this season, along with Michigan’s Tate Forcier and USC’s Matt Barkley. 

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