No. 4 Notre Dame 29, Pittsburgh 26 (3OT): Everett Golson scored on a 1-yard run in the third overtime and finished with 227 yards passing, 74 rushing and three total touchdowns as the host Fighting Irish narrowly avoided the upset.

Theo Riddick rushed for 84 yards on 22 carries and caught four passes for 35 yards and a score for Notre Dame (9-0), which has won its first nine games for the first time since 1993.

Golson hit Riddick with an 11-yard pass for a first down in the third overtime and rushed six yards to the 1-yard line. After a booth review, Golson got down behind his offensive line and pushed into the end zone for the win.

Irish running back Cierre Wood fumbled just prior to entering the end zone in the second overtime but the Panthers (4-5) failed to take advantage when Kevin Harper missed a 33-yard field goal attempt.

Pittsburgh appeared to be in good shape when K’Waun Williams intercepted Golson in the end zone with 3:59 left in the game, but Notre Dame forced a three-and-out on the ensuing possession and a short punt gave the Irish the ball back at midfield.

Golson pulled back on a designed run on the first play and bought some time before firing a 45-yard pass to DaVaris Daniels. Another designed quarterback run instead became a 5-yard touchdown pass to Riddick to cut it to 20-18, and Golson kept himself on the conversion to tie it with 2:11 left.

The Panthers led by as much as 20-6 at the beginning of the fourth quarter before Golson hit TJ Jones with an 11-yard pass for the Irish’s first touchdown. Kyle Brindza, who missed a field goal early in the contest, pulled the point after attempt wide left.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Pittsburgh RB Ray Graham, WR Devin Street and DB Lafayette Pitts were charged with simple assault and conspiracy Thursday for an incident involving another student. All three denied their involvement and were allowed to play. Graham gashed the Irish defense for 172 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. … Panthers QB Tino Sunseri completed 19 of 29 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown. … Notre Dame QB Tommy Rees came on in relief in the second half and went 6-for-11 for 65 yards and an interception. Golson returned after the pick.