WATCH: Notre Dame's Michael Mayer makes game-winning touchdown catch
For the second straight week, Notre Dame found themselves in a nail-biter with a team they were supposed to beat.
After Toledo took a 29-24 lead in South Bend, the Irish stormed down the field on a three-play, 75-yard scoring drive that took just 26 seconds. The Irish took back the lead on an 18-yard catch by tight end Michael Mayer. It was ultimately the game-winning score.
Wide receiver Avery Davis threw a pass to running back Kyren Williams on a trick play for a two-point conversion.
Toledo got the ball back with 1:09 to play, but their four-play drive ended with a fumble forced by defensive lineman Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa and recovered by linebacker JD Bertrand.
Notre Dame quarterback Jack Coan finished the day 21-for-33 with 239 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He dislocated his finger just before throwing the 18-yard score.
True freshman quarterback Tyler Buchner shared snaps with Coan and provided the Irish with a second-half spark. He was 3-for-3 with 78 yards and a score through the air plus seven carries for 68 yards on the ground.
Mayer now has 16 receptions for 201 yards and three touchdowns on the year. He has already exceeded his touchdown number of two from last season. So far, he is firmly in the running for the Mackey Award given to the nation’s best tight end.
Irish plagued by mistakes in close win
Notre Dame turned the ball over three times on Saturday. Coan threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown by Toledo’s Chris McDonald. They also had a pair of fumbles.
Williams was responsible for one of the fumbles, a problem clearly carrying over from last season. He fumbled five times in 2020.
The running back, who created a fair amount of havoc last year leading to his name being in the Heisman conversation leading up to this season, had 78 yards and a score today. So far, he has been a bigger threat in the passing game. Williams has nine receptions for 108 yards on the year, and average of 11 yards per catch.
Notre Dame will face Purdue next week at home. Purdue alum and new member of the NBC broadcasting booth Drew Brees will be on the call with Mike Tirico.