Associated Press

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — San Diego State coach Chuck Long was asked after giving Notre Dame a scare who was better, the Fighting Irish or Cal Poly, which beat the Aztecs a week earlier.

"That's a tough question," Long said, chuckling a bit at the question. "It's hard to say who's better. They both beat us."

That might say as much about Notre Dame's play in a 21-13 come-from-behind victory as the Fighting Irish's four turnovers and struggles to establish a running game against a makeshift San Diego State defensive line.

San Diego State (0-2), a 21-point underdog that opened the season by losing to an FCS team, appeared to be on the verge of an upset early in the fourth quarter.

Brandon Sullivan was inches away from a 4-yard touchdown run and a two-score lead for the Aztecs. But safety David Bruton jarred the ball loose and recovered it in the end zone to help the Irish (1-0) avoid an embarrassing loss.

"They had a chance to put the game away," Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis said.

Still, Weis told his players they should be happy with the victory.

"The guys will come in here and everyone will talk about an ugly win. Are you happy with an ugly win? I told them, 'Yes, you're happy with an ugly win because it's better than an ugly loss," he said. "I'll take an ugly win any day of the week."

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