Getting offensive: It says something that the Irish's best positive play through three quarters was a punt return, a 42-yarder by Golden Tate. That possession ended on downs.
On the defensive: Boston College's Paul Anderson changed the complexion of a tight game when he returned an interception of Irish quarterback Jimmy Clausen 76 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.
The number: 3. Boston College's third-down conversions in 12 tries through three quarters … and the Eagles still led by 17.
They're still talking about: How bad Boston College kicker Steve Aponavicius is. He missed field goals from 32 and 34 yards that essentially kept Notre Dame alive in a game in which the Irish looked D.O.A.
Looking ahead: Another road test at 6-3 Navy, which ended 43 years of Irish dominance with a victory in South Bend last year.
