COL FB: Notre Dame 36, Washington 17

SEATTLE, Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Jeff Samardzija caught eight passes for 164 yards and a touchdown Saturday to lead No. 18 Notre Dame to a 36-17 victory over the Washington Huskies.

It was Notre Dame's first game against former Fighting Irish Coach Tyrone Willingham, who was fired last season. Willingham, the first African-American head coach in any sport at Notre Dame, compiled a record of 21-15 in three seasons before being fired by the Irish.

Darius Walker rushed for 128 yards and a touchdown, while Brady Quinn threw for 327 yards and a TD for Notre Dame (3-1).

Isaiah Stanback passed for 353 yards for the Huskies (1-3), who are winless in six all-time meetings with Notre Dame.