Third quarter update: Irish cut into lead, still trail 14-10

Notre Dame cut into BYU’s lead in the third quarter, but missed a golden opportunity to tie the game.

Facing first-and-goal from the BYU 8 after a 55-yard run by Theo Riddick, Notre Dame ran three straight run plays for a total of 1 yard, and had to settle for a 24-yard field goal by Kyle Brindza — his first make of the game after missing twice.

On the previous drive, BYU again moved the ball well, but a 47-yard field goal attempt by Justin Sorenson missed badly.

The Irish have rushed for 183 yards against the nation’s third-best run defense — Riddick has 119 on 11 carries — but don’t have much to show for it. After a strong first quarter, Tommy Rees didn’t completed another pass until a 31-yarder to T.J. Jones to open the current drive — just his second pass attempt of the third quarter.