Bruce's Take - Irish Shutout Syracuse in Dominant Senior Day Performance
- Bruce Straughan
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
Coming into Saturday's contest, Notre Dame was on an eight-game winning streak and fresh off a dominant performance against Pitt. The Irish didn't even play to their full potential and still managed to win 37-15. Syracuse, on the other hand, had not won a game since their 34-21 win over Clemson way back in September. Since then, it has been an absolute trainwreck of losses, resulting in a six-game losing streak for the Orange.
Photo via Notre Dame Athletics
So, it was expected that the Irish, playing at their full potential in this game, would blow out a Syracuse team with inferior athletes. It didn't take long for Notre Dame to begin taking over, as Jalen Stroman (starting in place of injured Tae Johnson) jumped a route for an interception and a pick-six to put the Irish on top quickly during the first series of the ball game. The defense started this game fast, physical, and with great pursuit of the ball. You couldn't ask for a better start.
When a team comes out of the gates that dominant, it becomes contagious, and the Irish special teams caught that bug when Syracuse punted the ball deep in their own territory after a stalled second series, resulting in a blocked punt secured by Luke Talich for a touchdown. The Irish couldn't have started the game any better, putting 14 points on the board in the first two minutes of the game. It was clear early on that Syracuse would be no match for the Irish, and it only got worse as Leonard Moore intercepted another Syracuse pass for a pick-six. You heard that right! Two pick sixes for the Irish in the first six minutes of the game!
Jeremiyah Love continued to be an absolute homerun hitter whenever he touched the ball. Case in point, his first touch of the game resulted in a 45-yard run for a touchdown. Love is continuing to build his case for the Heisman Trophy, and in my mind, he's surpassed being in consideration at this point. There is no other player in this country as electric as he is when he touches the ball. The only problem is that the Heisman Trophy has become a QB award as of late. 2015 was the last time a running back came away with the award, and that was Derrick Henry. Since then, a QB has come away with the award seven out of the past nine years.
In games like this, there is nothing to complain about. This was a display of complete tenacity on both sides of the ball, something I've been asking for all season. Make no mistake about it, this was a statement to the playoff committee as well as the country that this team is for real and belongs in the playoff. In other words, put some respect on Notre Dame's name! One more game to go at Stanford, and if the Irish can close that one out in winning fashion, they're destined for the playoff.
Onward to the next...
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