SOUTH BEND, IND. ? Even though Notre Dame’s undefeated season is over, the Fighting Irish believe they can still reach their goals.

Losing 14-7 to Boston College (5-3) on Saturday was a major step down for Notre Dame (8-1), especially after an impressive 34-24 victory at Florida State one week earlier.

The Irish, who dropped five spots to No. 9 in the Associated Press Top 25 on Sunday, were hurting after the loss but not dejected.

“We don’t see it as an end, it’s just another step,” tailback Marcus Wilson said.

Instead of talking about what they lost, they focused on what they still have to accomplish a Bowl Championship Series berth and possibly a Fiesta Bowl appearance in the national title game.

“All those goals are still attainable,” quarterback Carlyle Holiday said. “We may not control our own destiny, but they’re still attainable.”

The Irish are the turnaround team of the season, already with three more victories than last year. They have proven that they belong among the nation’s elite, and they can still finish the season ranked in the top 10 something they haven’t done for a school-record eight seasons.

“We can still finish 11-1 and even make it to the championship game,” Holiday said.

Notre Dame would need to leapfrog at least eight teams for that to happen, but players still believe it is possible.