SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- Fifth-ranked Notre Dame College scored 34 points in the fourth quarter to rally past Fairmont State, 61-49, on Saturday afternoon at Mueller Field in South Euclid, Ohio.
 
Fairmont State lost three fumbles, was intercepted once, and Notre Dame returned a blocked punt for a touchdown during the victory.
 
With the win, Notre Dame improves to 3-0 both overall and in the Mountain East Conference. Fairmont State falls to 1-2 both overall and in the MEC.
 
Offensively Fairmont State outgained Notre Dame 513 to 418, including a 364 to 157 advantage through the air.
 
Notre Dame running back Jaleel McLaughlin carried the Notre Dame offense on his back during the victory, as the sophomore piled up 246 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 27 carries on the afternoon. The 2018 All-American racked up 9.1 yards per carry on the afternoon.
 
The Fairmont State rushing attacking was led by Khalik Hamlin with 28 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown. Tyree Randolph also accounted for 34 yards on four carries, and quarterback Takwan Crews-Naylor scored on a one-yard TD run for the first score of the game.
 
Crews-Naylor also completed 19-of-30 pass attempts for 364 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Aaron Lewis had a career day at receiver, accounting for six catches for 141 yards and two scores. Javon Hayes also hauled in five catches for 86 yards, and Andre Hall accounted for five catches for 69 yards and a score.
 
Chrinovic Mukula finished with a game-high eight tackles, while Siddiq Kanneh chipped in seven stops and a 17-yard fumble recovery for a TD. Michael Porter also recorded an interception in the defensive backfield that led to a Fairmont State score.
 
In addition to Notre Dame's success on the ground, quarterback Chris Brimm completed 9-of-23 pass attempts for 157 yards and two TDs. Marvelle Ross hauled in three receptions for a team-high 84 yards and a score to lead all NDC receivers.
 
Nathan Moore and Davion Johnson both racked up double-digit tackles with 14 and 10, respectively, to lead the NDC defense.
 
After a back and forth, high-scoring first half that went to the locker room with Fairmont State clinging to a 28-27 advantage, the Falcons grabbed their largest lead of the game at the 10:37 mark of the third when Crews-Naylor hooked up with Aaron Lewis for a 14-yard TD pass – giving the Falcons a 35-27 advantage.
 
With Fairmont State still holding an eight-point lead (35-27) after three quarters of play, NDC quickly turned the tide with three touchdowns over the next five minutes of playing time to grab a 47-35 advantage.
 
Fairmont State quickly responded with a three-play, 60-yard drive that ended with Crews-Naylor finding Hall in the endzone for a 25-yard TD pass.
 
However, McLaughlin added his fifth rushing touchdown of the game at the 5:50 mark of the fourth, and Vasean Davis scored Notre Dame's sixth rushing touchdown of the game on a nine-yard run with just 2:16 remaining that gave NDC a 61-42 lead.
 
Crews-Naylor connected with Lewis on a 35-yard touchdown pass to wrap up the score with just 44 ticks remaining.
 
In addition to the four turnovers, Fairmont State also committed 11 penalties for 93 yards, compared to just six penalties for 40 yards against Notre Dame College.
 
Fairmont State possessed the ball for over 33 minutes in the setback.
 
The Falcons will return home on a short week when Frostburg State visits Duvall-Rosier Field for a 7 p.m. matchup on Thursday evening.