Notre Dame's senior quarterback Everett Golson had a nightmare of a game while visiting Arizona State on Saturday afternoon, and head coach Brian Kelly was the first to admit it.

The Fighting Irish QB was sacked seven times, and coughed the ball up a ghastly six times (fourinterceptions and two fumbles) in a 55-31 thumping at the hands of the Sun Devils in Tempe. The loss dropped Notre Dame to 7-2, likely ending any chance they have at being one of the final four teams admitted into college football's inaugural playoff system.

Golson now has 17 turnovers on the season. That would perhaps be understandable for a novice freshman, but is glaring considering Golson is a senior QB with a well of experience - including a BCS championship game appearance.

In his post-mortem press conference, Irish head coach Brian Kelly was considerably displeased with his passer's lack of ball security.

Kelly conceded that not all six turnovers "were on" Golson solely, noting that a receiver had dropped one of the passes that led to an interception. But he still challenged his signal caller to take responsibility for his poor play.

"We've been working with him," Kelly said. "Sooner or later, he's got to take it on himself to take care of the football. I don't know what else to do. We're at the point where it hurt us in the game, obviously. He knows it."

Notre Dame will look to rebound from its loss by hosting Northwestern in South Bend on Saturday.