ERIE, Pa. – The Notre Dame Falcons played a tremendous second half of football at Tullio Field on Saturday afternoon, and pushed the No. 17-ranked Lakers of Mercyhurst into overtime, where they fell, 24-23. (Box)

It was a tale of two halves for the Falcons (0-1). Notre Dame's defense was on the field for a majority of the first half, as the Falcons found themselves in a 10-0 hole going into the locker room. The Lakers (1-0) outgained the Falcons, 289-66 offensively in the opening half, and held a 22:40-8:20 edge in time of possession.

The Falcons got on the board in the third quarter, on Pedro Powell's 31-yard touchdown run at the 9:50-mark, cutting the deficit to three.

Mercyhurst responded quickly on a 55-yard kickoff return from L.J. Stevens, and moments later, they took a 17-7 lead on Travis Rearick's two-yard touchdown pass to fullback Jeff Groene.

Less than two minutes later, Notre Dame made it a three point game once again. Dak Britt connected with Randy Greenwood on a 53-yard touchdown pass for another quick strike to pull the Falcons within striking distance.

In the fourth quarter, the two teams traded blows, both turning the ball over in big spots, but Notre Dame capped an 11-play, 63-yard drive that took 5-minutes and two-seconds, with a game tying, 37-yard field goal from freshmen Chris McClearn, at the 3:50-mark in the fourth quarter.

Mercyhurst's Steven Wakefield missed a 55-yarder at the end of regulation, to force the first overtime game in the history of Falcon football.

On the first play of the overtime session, the Falcons executed a double pass that resulted in a 25-yard touchdown. Rob Partridge threw a pass to Jack Foy, who then threw it back to Partridge, who scampered 25-yards to paydirt. McLearn missed the extra point, making it 23-17 Falcons.

The Lakers converted a fourth and two situation at the NDC five yard line to keep their drive alive on the ensuing possession, and moments later, Rearick took it into the end zone from one yard out to tie the game at 23-23. Wakefield put the extra point through the uprights to win the game.

The Falcons totaled 293 yards of offense, getting 226 of those yards in overtime and in the second half. They outgained the Lakers, 226-144 in total offense in the second half.

Notre Dame will be in action again next Saturday, September 10, when they square off against Walsh. The kickoff is slated for 12 p.m. at Fawcett Stadium, in Canton, Ohio.