End of third: USF 16, Notre Dame 7

Posted Sep 3, 2011 by Adam Adkins

Updated Sep 3, 2011 at 08:04 PM

SOUTH BEND, Ind. Notre Dame managed to produce its first touchdown in the third quarter, but the miscues for the Irish offense in the red zone continued and USF will now take a 16-7 lead into the fourth-quarter.

The Irish made two trips into the red zone behind quarterback Tommy Rees, who started the second half in place of Dayne Crist. However, the first trip ended in an interception by USF linebacker Michael Lanaris, who dove underneath a pass that went off the hands of an Irish receiver. It was the third turnover in the red zone for the Irish offense today. The second ended with kicker David Ruffer missing a 30-yard field goal.

Rees did manage to hit standout Michael Floyd for a 24-yard touchdown pass, and he played well overall, completing 10 of 14 passes for 140 yards.

USF’s first three possession in the third quarter ended in punts, and the Bulls managed just two first downs during that stretch. However, USF starts the fourth quarter with the ball at its own 34.