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SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Virginia Tech proved it can overcome a slow start and turnovers.The Hokies fell behind by 17 points early and trailed by 10 to start the fourth quarter, but Jerod Evans guided them to a touchdown and a pair of field goals by Joey Slye in the quarter to beat Notre Dame 34-31 Saturday.Evans threw for 267 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another in intermittent snow and 20 mph winds. The Hokies (8-3) had been 0-3 when trailing at halftime this season and minus-9 in turnovers in its three losses. Evans threw an interception on a pass that bounced off the hands of Cam Phillips and fumbled when he was sacked, leading to 10 points by the Irish on the two turnovers.Evans said the Hokies knew the game wasnt over after falling behind 17-0.We know were more than capable of doing of what we do with the high-powered offense, so you dont lose confidence easily when youve got that type of talent, he said.The Virginia Tech defense shut down the Irish offense in the second half. After giving up 299 yards in total offense, the Hokies held the Irish to 150 yards in the second half -- with 67 yards of that came on a touchdown run by Josh Adams that extended Notre Dames lead to 31-21 and 57 coming on the final drive of the game.They hit us on a couple of plays early that they had not shown, but our kids hung in there, Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster said. It was a tale of two halves. They did some unique things and we adjusted.DeShone Kizer, who was 13-of-18 passing for 199 yards with two touchdowns in the first half, was just 3 of 15 for 36 yards in the second half.We had some balls that were catchable that we didnt catch. I just dont think we executed quite as well offensively, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said.Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente said the Hokies simply played better after halftime.I dont think there was any great revelation at halftime. Its just, weve got to play better, he said. We were out there dropping the ball on the ground, giving up big plays. Just not playing Virginia Tech football. I think guys kind of settled down and got their feet underneath them and felt like if theyd just execute theyd have a chance to have success. Thats what they did.THE TAKEAWAYVirginia Tech: A solid performance after a slow start should give the Hokies confidence as they try to clinch the ACC Coastal Division.Notre Dame: It was the same old story for the Irish, who squandered a double-digit lead in a loss for the third time this season. The loss clinched a losing season for the Irish, just the 14th time in 128 seasons of playing football and the first since going 3-9 in 2007.POLL IMPLICATIONS: The win against the Irish could get the Hokies back in the poll.UNWANTED RECORDThe loss drops Kellys record to 59-30 in seven seasons at Notre Dame, tying him with Lou Holtz for most losses at the school. Holtz was 100-30-2 in 11 seasons. Kelly will finish with only his second losing season in 26 seasons as coach. Central Michigan finished 4-7 in his first year as head coach there in 2004.UP NEXTVirginia Tech: The Hokies finish the regular season with their annual game against rival Virginia. The Hokies have beaten the Cavaliers 12 straight times.Notre Dame: The Irish finish the season against rival USC. In their last trip to face the Trojans in 2014, the Irish were blown out 49-14. The Irish have won three of the last four in the series.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25. Stitched Patriots Jerseys . - Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is not a fan of his teams use of the wildcat formation, saying "it makes you look like a high school offence. Wholesale Patriots Jerseys . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/ . Once again, DeLaet finished tied for second at a PGA Tour stop on the weekend, this time at the Waste Management Phoenix Open. The pride of Weyburn, Sask. New England Patriots Shirts . In taking its goal tally to 99 in all competitions already this season, City delivered another demonstration of its lethal firepower at Etihad Stadium to set up a fourth-round match at home to another second-tier team -- Watford. New England Patriots Pro Shop . Darren Helm scored on Detroits sixth attempt in the shootout and then Jonas Gustavsson stopped Andrew Shaws shot, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. BEREA, Ohio -- Brandon Weeden had a lot to prove. Before his second NFL season began, he had to convince some teammates, a new coaching staff and front office and many skeptical Cleveland fans he deserved to start. He desperately wanted to be their quarterback, the guy. On Tuesday, Weedens efforts were rewarded. Browns coach Rob Chudzinski selected Weeden as his starter, an announcement that erased any uncertainty -- and there wasnt much -- that the second-year QB would be behind centre for the Sept. 8 season opener against Miami. Weeden has spent the past few months doing everything he possibly could to win the job, and he did -- fair and square. "Brandon has earned this," Chudzinski said, "and thats extremely important to me that he did. He has gained my complete trust. He has gained his teammates complete trust and this organizations trust. Were all behind him and well all be behind him to support him." Weeden, who survived a bumpy rookie season, took the news that he had beaten out veteran Jason Campbell in typical stride. Unlike a year ago, when he was essentially anointed as Clevelands No. 1 from the moment he was selected in the first round of the draft, Weeden had to fight for this. He immersed himself in the playbook to learn the Browns new system and performed at a high level during spring practices and summer training camp. If there was any doubt, Weeden removed by completing 18 of 25 passes for 229 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions in two preseason games. Case closed. "Ive taken the steps that I needed to take to better myself," Weeden said. "But I have to keep continuing to work, keep continuing to do the things that Ive done all along up until this point to become that player that I want to be. Im not satisfied. I feel like I have a lot of work to do, and thats kind of my mindset moving forward." While there was widespread speculation outside of Clevelands locker room about whether Weeden should remain the starter, the Browns were certain he was up to the challenge. "I cant really say I had any doubt," wide receiver Josh Gordon said. "It seems as though hes the guy whos been here. Hes shown improvement ever since he got here, every day, every week, his commitment and work ethic. Hes definnitely stepped up into that leadership role that everybody expects him to be.dddddddddddd Hes doing a great job and were glad to have him. "Ive got 100 per cent faith in him." Chudzinski does as well. The 29-year-old Weeden has impressed his coach with every aspect of his game -- on and off the field. "I have been very pleased with how he has gone out," Chudzinski said. "He has taken the opportunity, seized the opportunity and produced. So I have been pleased from that standpoint and I think that he has garnered a lot of respect from, not only me, not only the coaching staff and the organization but from his teammates, as well." Weeden is just the fourth Browns quarterback -- and first since Charlie Frye in 2007 -- to open consecutive seasons as the starter. Tim Couch (2000-01) and Kelly Holcomb (02-03) are the others. "I knew I had to impress the people that ultimately make the decisions," Weeden said. "Thats all 90 of us that are out here. My mindset didnt change. My mindset was getting better focus, just doing the things that I need to do to become a better player." Weeden now believes everyone within the Browns organization has his back. "I do. Absolutely," he said. "I feel like I have the support from players on up." While others wondered if he would succeed, Weeden said self-doubt was never a factor. "Ive always put the pressure on myself that I was going to be the guy," he said. "I was going to do everything I could to be the guy. I cant say that I ever doubted it. My mentality was that I was again going to take the bull by the horns and be the guy and do everything in my power to make it where they had no choice but to name me the guy." Hes the guy. NOTES: Chudzinski said RB Dion Lewis will likely be placed on season-ending injured reserve with a broken leg. Lewis had surgery on Monday to repair the fibula he broke during Thursday nights win over Detroit. ... As expected, LB Barkevious Mingo will sit out Saturdays game at Indianapolis with a bruised lung. Chudzinski said Mingo s medical evaluation "is an ongoing thing." Mingo was spitting up blood on the sideline Thursday night with the unusual injury. The Browns still arent sure when he was injured. ' ' '