SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) - Everett Golson threw touchdown passes of 50, 34 and 2 yards, Cierre Wood scored on a 68-yard run and third-ranked Notre Dame beat Wake Forest 38-0 Saturday to finish the season undefeated at home for the first time since 1998 and keep alive its national championship hopes.
The Fighting Irish improved to 11-0 for the first time since 1989 and need to beat Southern California to finish a regular season undefeated for the first time since 1988, the last time they won a national championship. The Demon Deacons (5-6) fell to 1-33 all-time against top 5 teams, their lone win coming against No. 4 Tennessee in 1946. The victory virtually assures the Irish of a berth in a BCS game.
The Irish need to beat USC and likely need either No. 1 Oregon or No. 2 Kansas State to lose to qualify for the BCS title game.
