CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Notre Dame did what it needed to do to go 10-0 Saturday night against a scrappy Boston College team, earning a 21-6 victory on the road. The Irish (10-0) went up early on a long 95-yard touchdown drive in the first quarter, capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by sophomore quarterback Everett Golson, and never relinquished their lead in the victory. The Boston College (2-8) offense threw a number of trick plays and screens at the Notre Dame defense, but the unit continued its strong season by keeping the Eagles out of the end zone.

The good: Golson played another strong game at the quarterback position, completing 16-of-24 passes for 200 yards and two touchdowns while adding 40 yards and a score on the ground. The young Golson also led the Irish to complete their first 10 third-down conversions, moving the chains on the three touchdown-scoring drives that ultimately won the game.

The bad: No, it wasn’t raining at Alumni Stadium, but the ball was a little slippery for Notre Dame’s running backs. Senior back Theo Riddick and sophomore back George Atkinson both lost fumbles. Riddick and Atkinson have been reliable in protecting the ball all season, but Irish coach Brian Kelly will certainly address these uncharacteristic turnovers in practice this week. Sophomore wide receiver DaVaris Daniels also suffered a shoulder injury that appeared as though it may be serious.

What we learned: The Irish were immune to the big upset — such as the one No. 1 Alabama suffered earlier in the day — by keeping the Eagles out of the end zone and executing on offense. Kelly’s team did not play its best game, or even close to it, but the No. 4 Irish executed when it mattered and never let the Eagles get close to spoiling their undefeated record.

The Irish will return to action next week when they take on Wake Forest at home at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.