South Florida Bulls vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish Match Player Stats On Sep 03, 2011

SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 3, 2011

In a game marked by two historic weather delays, South Florida forced five turnovers — including a fumble that was returned for a touchdown — and held on for a 23-20 upset victory at No. 18 Notre Dame on Saturday.

The start of the second half was pushed back by more than two hours due to lightning in the area, the first weather delay in Notre Dame's 123-year football history. Officials stopped play a second time for nearly an hour with 4:21 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Fighting Irish marched down the field quickly on their opening drive, but Jonas Gray fumbled on third-and-goal from the 1-yard line and Kayvon Webster returned the loose ball 96 yards for a score to put South Florida in front just four minutes into the game. Notre Dame's first three trips to the red zone all ended in turnovers, with quarterbacks Dayne Crist and Tommy Rees each throwing an interception inside the South Florida 5-yard line.

Notre Dame's Michael Floyd finished with 12 catches for 154 yards and two second-half touchdowns, setting a school record for career receptions with 183. Floyd's second scoring grab brought the Fighting Irish within three with 21 seconds left, but South Florida recovered the ensuing onside kick.

South Florida's Maikon Bonani kicked three field goals, including a 49-yarder, to help the Bulls build a 16-0 halftime advantage.