For the second straight game, the Irish struggled to score in the first half.
Throughout the game, the Pittsburgh defense put pressure from the edges on Jimmy Clausen and contained the wide receivers from deep passes.
Fortunately, the Notre Dame defense held strong for most of the first two quarters, heading into halftime trailing 10-3.
Sophomore wide receiver Jonathan Baldwin made several spectacular catches for the Panthers, who built up a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter.
Freshman running back Dion Lewis broke free for a 50-yard run, and it looked like the game was over.
But a Golden Tate punt return brought the Irish within a score of Pittsburgh, and a key defensive stop gave Jimmy Clausen and Notre Dame a chance at yet another late comeback.
Pittsburgh's pressure proved too much, however, and what was originally ruled an incomplete pass was reviewed and deemed a game-ending fumble.
