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Notre Dame Football

Game Thread | Syracuse at No. 2 Notre Dame

December 5, 2020
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Syracuse (1-9, 1-8) at No. 2 Notre Dame (9-0, 8-0)

Notre Dame Stadium | 2:30 p.m. ET | NBC

Game Week Articles | Roster| Depth Chart Schedule |Staff Predictions 


Get up, Get out

If Saturday is a challenge for Notre Dame, then they need to take a hard look in the mirror before the ACC Championship Game. Now, Syracuse did compete with Clemson longer than most expected, but this is a chance for the Irish to finish off an impressive regular season while also continuing a focus on the future. 

There should be motivation from the staff to get up and then get starters out so they don’t get hurt or an unlucky targeting call in the second half while also getting its youth on the field. As we’ve seen, life changes quickly in 2020 and getting some much-needed reps for the backups could be beneficial. 

As for Notre Dame’s players, it’s a chance to move the home winning streak to 24 games and send the seniors out on a high note, which also includes getting seniors who don’t play a chance to get on the field. 

If Notre Dame is focused, Saturday isn’t close and Ian Book walks out of Notre Dame Stadium for the final time as the all-time winningest quarterback in school history. 


Five Players To Watch

Notre Dame G Dillan Gibbons
With Zeke Correll's status uncertain, we should see Gibbons play a lot. He stepped in against Florida State and did a good job in the running game.

Syracuse WR Taj Harris
The WR1 for Syracuse is their best weapon. He'll get a high volume of targets and if the Irish shut him down, it's going to be tough for the Orange to find the end zone.

Notre Dame LB Marist Liufau
He had a breakout game last week against North Carolina. Now we get to see if that continues and someone can finally get a firm grasp on the starting Buck job. If he continues to be a playmaker, that's a great sign for the defense before their expected rematch with Clemson.

Syracuse LB Mikel Jones
A rising star on a young defense, Jones has four interceptions on the season. He leads a group of players at linebacker and safety that causes a good amount of havoc.

Notre Dame DT Kurt Hinish
This could be Hinish's final game in Notre Dame Stadium and there is no doubt he will leave it all out on the field. He should make a big impact against a below-average Syracuse O-line.


Quotes of the Week

Notre Dame RB Kyren Williams:
“It's crazy. You come to Notre Dame and you don't think you're going to play in any conference games. Now, we're in the ACC Championship for the first time in Notre Dame history and the first time ever in my career. 

"This is a goal as a team we've been preaching on since we joined the ACC. We were going to come in here and compete for an ACC Championship. 

"We still have Syracuse, but we see that goal in the future and we can't forget that we still have to work to get to that goal. We haven't accomplished anything yet."

Notre Dame LB Marist Liufau:
"One thing I think about myself, especially coming from Hawaii, I feel we have that chip on our shoulder as Hawaii players. We pride ourselves in being physical, flying around the field, hitting people and having fun while playing. I feel that can be evident at times." 

Notre Dame DE Ade Ogundeji:
"Definitely my first year it was a struggle, but we've just continually gotten better as a team. And myself, I've continued to get better. I think that's what it comes down to in life, just growth throughout the whole time.”

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly: 
"The announcement as to being part of the championship game doesn't really change how we prepare for our performance on Saturday. It's still important for our football team because there's so many things going on, right? 

"No. 1 the chance to win all of your games at home for a third consecutive season. To send our seniors out on a winning note has always been important here at Notre Dame, regardless of the season. 

"Solidifying your resume going into the College Football Playoffs. A lot of things to play for, but it's never really been about that for us. It's much more about this consistency of performance and how you prepare for it. That really didn't change much for us.”


For Your Nerves 

TEAM STATS Notre Dame Syracuse
Points Per Game 36.9 17.5
Points Allowed Per Game 16.7 31.5
Total Yards 464.0 250.4
Yards Passing 234.3 172.1
Yards Rushing 229.7 78.3
Yards Allowed 303.4 453.5
Pass Yards Allowed 218.1 251.8
Rush Yards Allowed  85.3 201.7

Game Thread | Syracuse at No. 2 Notre Dame

76,688 Views | 622 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by Firefighter8196
leofitz
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Rwolf101 said:

Sick catch. I think he was interfered with too.
That was nice. A bit like Boykin on that one.
leofitz
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Rwolf101 said:

Sick catch. I think he was interfered with too.
That was nice. A bit like Boykin on that one.
usma95
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That is one sad picture Matt. My prayers to the family. So devastating.
sscott43
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andrew32 said:

Zero stress.


You weren't wrong.
ndsean44
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Sgt Hulka said:

Let's go. Make this a 21 point quarter.
Welp.
mattfreeman
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Staff
mattfreeman
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Staff
Clarence Lewis leads Notre Dame with 8 tackles in the first half.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah next with 3.
Sgt Hulka
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That PF on 3rd down changed this whole game.

irishbearcat09
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Feeling better, bigly
sscott43
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Some stuff to clean up but I'll take up 17 at half.
Sgt Hulka
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mattfreeman said:




That was the quietest 250 yards passing ever.
mattfreeman
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Staff
REMND
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Kyren needs 63 more yards on the ground to hit 1,000 for the year.
cardova08
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Gotta love the ridiculous overreactions on the gameday board, they are always worth a laugh.
andrew32
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sscott43 said:

andrew32 said:

Zero stress.


You weren't wrong.


Haha thanks! Was just reading the tea leaves of how good Book looked.

21-of-29 for 252 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus another rushing TD.

On pace for 500 in the air.
pbrad28
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Ha! I enjoy a good overreaction...

But they were playing very poorly...
Spes Unica
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This score is unearned, but it is indicative of a WINNER. Really good teams have good fortune. They just do. ND is really good.
jbachman
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Ian Book has had a great half - took a while to get some catches - helps the D finally got several stops and that turnover.

Going to be hard to "beiieve" i the second if your an Orange player
Sgt Hulka
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cardova08 said:

Gotta love the ridiculous overreactions on the gameday board, they are always worth a laugh.


Absolutely correct. They were down 7-3 to the 2nd worst team on their schedule and they were pissing all over themselves. We should just sit back and say, "oh now boys, quit fooling around."

Actually, it wasn't that bad.
stekra
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One more score and we need to play backups. No sense getting a starter injured.
pjcaulfield
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Lost that game on a bogus holding penalty on a first and goal by the Irish on the USC 1 yard line that took a TD off the board on a running play in the second half. Did not score on that drive. The call was against Bob Meeker, who whiffed on his block. Cost us a National Championship.
Firefighter8196
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cardova08 said:

Gotta love the ridiculous overreactions on the gameday board, they are always worth a laugh.


I fully add to those overreactions for you to get a laugh. Haha. I have to spew it on here or my wife will kill me if I spew it to her
ejsjr
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It's like something Clemson would do....against us.....in the Cotton Bowl.
yepre
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I think the sluggish start was due to a plan to have Ian have big senior but this offense is best when balanced with the running game.
ejsjr
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The call verged on the criminal. Made you wonder if the fix was in. There were others but that was the worst call of all.
macavo85
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Sgt Hulka said:

Let's go. Make this a 21 point quarter.


Good call
coachscott
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Unbelievable that we threw 29 times on a cold (and blustery?) December afternoon for 250+ Yards. Meanwhile, a first half low of 59 yards rushing with a bunch of them (28 yards) coming all from Book on his rushing TD. Crazy.
atl irish
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Matt, do you think Javon would consider coming back? I have to think the NFL could be a possibility if he continues to develop.
Sgt Hulka
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Let's get a 21-0 quarter and get the young bloods in.
ndcleric
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Great editing on this clip from PFF Twitter.



Dungy: "... they aren't going to give up a touchdown here"
Sgt Hulka
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macavo85 said:

Sgt Hulka said:

Let's go. Make this a 21 point quarter.


Good call


I'm the proverbial broken clock
ejsjr
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Justt went from NBC to ESPN to Fox to CBS and to ABC. All college football, all in friggin' commercials.
mattfreeman
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Staff
Firefighter8196 said:

cardova08 said:

Gotta love the ridiculous overreactions on the gameday board, they are always worth a laugh.


I fully add to those overreactions for you to get a laugh. Haha. I have to spew it on here or my wife will kill me if I spew it to her
Thanks lol
Rwolf101
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Kathryn Tappen's sweater is pure luxury and glamour.
Sgt Hulka
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I think Kelly wants a good 3rd qtr
 
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