BYU holds off late Notre Dame surge for 20-17 victory

The Fighting Irish (0-1) next play Michigan.
PROVO, Utah (AP) -- Notre Dame will have that game of experience it wanted when the Fighting Irish play rival Michigan next week.
The Irish also have a loss.
Brigham Young held off a late push by Notre Dame for a 20-17 victory Saturday night in the season opener for both teams.
Matt Berry passed for 167 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown pass and a clutch 37-yard completion in the final minutes to Todd Watkins, after relieving BYU starter John Beck in the second quarter.
The Cougars improved to 4-0 in season openers under coach Gary Crowton and got off to a winning start as they try to break a two-year streak of losing seasons.
"It's so fun to beat Notre Dame just because it's such a storied program," Crowton said. "What this does is gives us momentum going into the season and gives us a chance to get better."
Crowton had a wide grin after winning a tight one.
Key play
The Fighting Irish were about to get a final chance with BYU facing a third-and-8 play from its own 25.
But Berry, who replaced injured starter John Beck in the second quarter, threw a long pass toward the Notre Dame sideline that Watkins leaped to pull in and give BYU a first down with 1:34 remaining.
Watkins, a junior college transfer making his BYU debut, also caught a 50-yard pass from Beck to set up the Cougars' opening touchdown.
"They doubled him most of the night. He's not only fast and tall, he also goes after the football. That will soften up opposing teams' defense," Crowton said.
Notre Dame's Brady Quinn completed 26 of 47 passes for 265 yards, including a screen pass that Rhema McKnight took 54 yards for a touchdown.
Preston Jackson returned an interception 38 yards in the fourth quarter to get the Irish within a field goal, but they had to punt on their last possession and the Cougars didn't give up the ball again.
"Their defensive scheme kept us a little on our heels so we couldn't come off the ball," Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willingham said. "We couldn't be as effective as we wanted to be."
Recovery
Berry, BYU's starter until breaking a bone in his hand early last season, completed 15 of 23 passes yards and an interception. He was shaky early in relief of Beck, who left in the second quarter after being leveled on an option. X-rays on Beck were negative for any breaks, but he did not return.
"I was ready when my opportunity came. I made it too interesting at the end, but guys came through. That's why it is a team game," said Berry, who was 15-for-23 with the big interception.
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