After trailing for nearly the entire game, State (1-2) scored a late touchdown to take the lead before Notre Dame scored a last minute touchdown to win 33-31.
Notre Dame scored first when Jale McLaughlin caught a six-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Chris Brimmto take a 6-0 lead after the first quarter.
State would get on the board early in the second quarter with Aaron Ball connecting on a 42-yard field goal.
Notre Dame would score again with Marvelle Ross scoring off a 22-yard touchdown pass from Brimm.
State would show off their big play potential with Wide Receiver A.J. Barrette catching a 79-yard touchdown pass from Quarterback Faustino Saucedo. Aaron Ball’s PAT would pull State within three, with the Yellow jackets trailing 13-10.
Notre Dame closed the first half out with a Zaire Mitchell punt return for a touchdown, with the Falcons leading 20-10 at the half.
State struck first in the second half with Saucedo rushing a seven-yard touchdown in, with Ball’s PAT bringing the Yellow Jackets within three once again, down 20-17.
Ross scored his second touchdown of the day for Notre Dame; with this one being a 79-yard touchdown pass.
State would start their rally at the start of the fourth quarter down 27-17.
Tyrell Henderson scored off a 76 yard touchdown pass from Saucedo, with Ball’s PAT bringing the Yellow Jackets within three once again, down 27-24. Saucedo connected with Henderson once again, this time from 15 yards out, with 5:15 remaining to give the Yellow Jackets their first lead of the game, with Ball’s PAT giving State a 31-27 lead.
Notre Dame drove the length of the field and McLaughlin scored a three-yard touchdown run to give the Falcons a 33-31 win.
Despite the loss, Quarterback Faustino Saucedo would impress, going 28 for 44 on his completions for 395 yards and three touchdowns. Saucedo also threw an interception.
Dylan Lucas was the top rusher for the Yellow Jackets, gaining 65 yards on 20 carries, with a longest rush of 19 yards, Saucedo also rushed for a touchdown.
Tyrell Henderson had a huge game, catching 12 passes for 173 yards, and two touchdowns. A.J. Barrette had nine receptions for 165 yards and a touchdown, along with Zach Pate catching four passes for 56 yards.
The Yellow Jackets next play Saturday, Sept. 22, hosting MEC powerhouse Shepherd.
