Michigan State beat Notre Dame on a similar play last season.

He would soon make a memorable touchdown catch to beat Notre Dame, and everything would change.

"Football definitely has an effect; look how far applications went up after we beat Notre Dame," Roberts said.

And in the end, it was an unusual hero who beat Notre Dame.

"They just want to beat Notre Dame," he said.

Northwestern had not beaten Notre Dame since 1962, a 14-game losing streak.

When the half ended, Navy seemed to have a realistic chance to beat Notre Dame for the first time since 1963.

Arizona finished in 16:29.14 to beat Notre Dame, which ran 16:31.20.

Navy did not beat Notre Dame again until 2007.

Navy has not beaten Notre Dame in 40 games, a streak that stretches to 1963.