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Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly doesn't want Irish called 'lucky'

After the Notre Dame Fighting Irish escaped with a three-overtime victory against the Pitt Panthers, Brian Kelly doesn't want the team to be labeled as lucky.

Wesley Hitt

After the Notre Dame Fighting Irish rallied for a three-overtime come-from-behind win versus the Pittsburgh on Saturday, head coach Brian Kelly does not want anyone calling his team lucky.

In an interview with the Chicago Tribune's Brian Hamilton, Kelly said it wasn't just luck that propelled the team to victory:

"I've never had a team that won because it was lucky. But I've had many teams that were fortunate because they were good football teams and they found a way to win, if that makes sense.

"I don't think I've ever had a lucky football team. I think I've had a team that's gotten some breaks along the way."

Notre Dame did receive a few breaks against the Panthers on Saturday, with the biggest happening in the second overtime when Bennett Jackson and Chris Brown were on the field goal block unit despite both players wearing No. 2. The referee's did not call a penalty when they should have and Pitt missed the field goal to send it to the third overtime.

But the Fighting Irish are a good enough team to take advantage of the extra opportunity and secure the victory. Notre Dame was able to win in the next overtime after quarterback Everett Golson scored the game winning 1-yard touchdown.