Notre Dame-Navy final score: 3 things we learned from the Irish's 49-39 win

Six total touchdowns from Everett Golson lead the Irish to a close victory.

One of the nation's top 10 teams was nearly handed a frantic comeback loss by an unranked opponent Saturday. Notre Dame was able to collect itself in the fourth quarter, scoring three late touchdowns en route to a 49-39 victory over Navy in Annapolis.

Notre Dame took a 28-7 lead in the second quarter, but a spirited comeback attempt by Navy saw them take the advantage before the fourth quarter. The Midshipmen scored 24 straight points over the next 14 minutes, leading 31-28 heading into the fourth quarter.

Golson's fifth total touchdown of the game gave the Irish the lead again, as the senior quarterback ran it in from three yards out to make the score 35-31. On Notre Dame's next drive, Tarean Folston burst up the middle for a 25-yard touchdown to make it a two-score game.

Navy was able to march back and score on Keenan Reynolds's second touchdown pass of the game. A successful two-point conversion attempt made the score 42-39. With one last chance to put the game away, Goslon came through with touchdown number six:

via CBS

Three things we learned

1. Notre Dame's outside shot at the Playoff is still alive. The Irish need to win out, including tough games against Louisville and Arizona State, to have any shot as well as hope for chaos. Winning is all they can do on their end, and they accomplished that Saturday.

Just one team ahead of Notre Dame lost this week, but there are plenty of matchups between Playoff contenders remaining on the schedule. Winning out doesn't guarantee a spot for the Irish, but it can't hurt their chances.

2. Same goes for Everett Golson's Heisman candidacy. Golson had an excellent game on a day his team wasn't quite so excellent, but between his monstrous statline and his team's notch in the win column, his Heisman stock hasn't quite vanished yet.

Golson completed 18 of 25 passes for 315 yards and three touchdowns against the Midshipmen, running nine times for 33 yards and three scores.

3. Navy can cause fits for any defense. Notre Dame has had one of college football's best defensive units this season, holding opponents to 19.1 points per game coming into this one and holding a potent Florida State offense to a relatively low 31 points their last time out.

We saw Navy give Ohio State a hard time earlier this year, and they were able to rack up 336 rushing yards against the Irish with 39 points -- notably more than the 'Noles. Next week, against the nation's top-ranked rushing offense in Georgia Southern, should be fun.

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