There was no sluggish start at home for Notre Dame this time. Not on Senior Day.

The Irish -- in desperate need of a big, convincing win as it tries to prove its national championship bona fides -- jumped out to a 21-0 lead on Wake Forest after one quarter. Fittingly, all three touchdowns were scored by seniors.

Less than two minutes into the game, Cierre Wood broke loose for a 68-yard touchdown run, the longest run of the season for Notre Dame. Three plays later, Irish linebacker Carlo Calabrese leveled Wake Forest tailback Josh Harris, forcing a fumble that was recovered by Zeke Motta. The Irish capitalized with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Everett Golson to senior tight end Tyler Eifert.

Notre Dame's third possession ended with a 50-yard touchdown pass from Golson to John Goodman, an injury replacement for DaVaris Daniels. Golson threw the ball about 60 yards, and Goodman somehow hauled in the pass in the end zone with a defender all over him.

Golson finished the quaryer 8-of-10 for 129 yards and two touchdowns. Wood has 89 yards on seven carries.