Well, we once again almost pissed victory away. Big lead melts away like every game since the Bowl Game — thanks Golden.
One half of my prediction was right — Estime. The other half needs a hypnotherapist.
But we knocked off a team ranked 16th and we had 246 rushing yardage.
Check out the game highlights:
ND visits the Carrier Dome in Syracuse to take on a 6-1 Cuse team who took Clemson down to the wire losing by only 6 points. Dabo escapes again.
I see this match up as a Redemption Game for Drew Pyne and Audric Estime. Pine gets 2 TD passes, one to Mayer who breaks ND TE record and Estime bulls for 2 TD’s.
Score Prediction: ND 33 Syracuse 25
In a lackluster effort by the ND defense – they gave up 414 yards. The offense on the other hand was able to score 3 times just before the half to ice the game. Best thing to say about Syracuse is they never quit.
This game gave Ian Book 30 wins and he actually ran and passed this team to victory. Both RB’s Williams and Tyree went over 100 yards – Tyree had a 94 yard burst for a TD showing big time speed. Javon McKinley had 3 TD receptions.
At the start of the game all of the ND receivers had the dropsies or this game would have been wrapped up earlier, nevertheless ND rolled up 568 yards against Syracuse.
A lot of work needs to be done if this team is to go any further.
Enjoy the highlights:
Here is the post game Brian Kelly press conference:
Not much to talk about in this game except hopefully no injuries and getting the starters out early.
Score Prediction: Notre Dame 56 Syracuse 13
In other news, Notre Dame is in the ACC Conference Championship Game vs Clemson.
Also, the ACC canceled the ND vs Wake Forest and Clemson vs Florida State games.
Here is the Brian Kelly pre game press conference:
Notre Dame strolled into Yankee Stadium and completely dismantled #12 Syracuse. Actually, ND left a lot of points off the scoreboard – I’d say minimum 14.
Granted that Cuse lost their starting QB early in the game to a back injury, but he was not a factor when he was playing.
The ND defense was smothering, bouncing the Syracuse QB all over and sub Kurt Hinish NG recorded his first sack. Alohi Gilman had 2 picks while Jalen Elliott also grabbed one.
When ND stopped fooling around Ian Book took to the air went 23/37 292 yards, 2 TD’s and 1 Pick. Once again he distributed the ball so that everyone got into the act.
ND rushed for 171 yards, but Wimbush 44 and Williams 74 – long of 32 yards was most of it. ND really has to do a better job run blocking.
How far this team goes will depend on the Defense and Book’s arm.
Enjoy the highlights:
Here is the Brian Kelly post game press conference:
Syracuse strategy is pretty simple – play fast, keep the ball and score 40 points. In other words just hit 40 and you will win out.
Syracuse is ranked 12 with an 8-2 record losing only to Clemson 27-23 and Pitt 42-37. They should have won the Clemson game. They do have an all around good team and a dual threat QB Eric Dungy who likes to roll out and pass and or run. He’s completing 52% of his passes with 14 TD’s and 5 Picks.
So the strategy for ND should be to hammer this guy every play and keep him in the pocket. In all likelihood ND will spy him.
For ND they get Ian Book back and NYC is a great place for Dexter Williams to put on a show. To all the ND players hoping for a shot at the Pros this is a damn good stage.
I look for Syracuse to hang with ND through the 1st quarter after which ND will demolish them.
Notre Dame 45 Syracuse 24
Here is the Brian Kelly pre game press conference: