PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 07: DeShone Kizer #14 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish drops back to pass against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the first quarter during the game at Heinz Field on November 7, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish came into Saturday’s game on the road against the Pittsburgh Panthers knowing that they were likely going to have to win out if they wanted to make the college football playoff. DeShone Kizer took it upon himself to make sure that the Irish were going to continue on their quest toward that goal as he accounted for all six Notre Dame touchdowns for the day during a 42-30 victory that boosted the Irish to 8-1 for the season. Pittsburgh falls to 6-3 after losing their last two games. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
It all started early as Kizer hit Will Fuller for a 47-yard touchdown pass just 1:11 into the game. Kizer added a touchdown pass to Torii Hunter Jr. in the second quarter before hitting Fuller again with 1:35 left in the first half to give Notre Dame a 21-3 halftime lead. The onslaught continued as the Kizer/Fuller connection hit for a third time midway through the third quarter. Pittsburgh would respond on a second touchdown run by Jordan Whitehead to make a 28-17 going into the fourth quarter but Kizer would throw a touchdown pass to Josh Adams early in the fourth quarter and then added a rushing touchdown of his own later on for his sixth touchdown of the game.
Kizer finished 19-for-25 passing for 262 yards and the five touchdown passes. Adams rushed for 147 yards on 20 carries after taking over for an injured C.J. Prosise. Fuller finished with seven catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns. Nathan Peterman had a rough day for the Panthers, going 12-for-31 passing for 223 yards, a touchdown and an interception but led the team in rushing with 60 yards on the ground. Notre Dame will host Wake Forest next week while Pittsburgh will go on the road to face Duke.
