Can a loss really be a win? Can failing to achieve a long standing goal serve to elevate the purpose? Can coming up short eventually drive you further in the long run?

Well, maybe.

Notre Dame's heart-stopping last second loss to the Trojans of Southern California Saturday managed to at least temporarily silence critics. Commentators who had lampooned the Irish for close wins in recent weeks praised Notre Dame for a close loss against USC.

Coming from behind two weeks in a row to beat a scrappy Purdue team that beat Ohio State (USC's "big" win) and a pretty good Washington team (who beat USC) earned Notre Dame no respect. Conversely they were criticized for not pulling away sooner...

Read Complete Article at Bleacher Report - College Football
Article is property of BleacherReport.com