Jalen Stroman Shines as Notre Dame Crushes Syracuse 70-7 on Senior Day
Some programs struggle with the emotions of Senior Day.
Notre Dame didn’t on Saturday.
The Fighting Irish turned in perhaps one of the most impressive starts in college football history in the 70-7 win over Syracuse on Saturday afternoon.
Notre Dame took a commanding 21-0 lead with 9:43 left in the first quarter and its offense hadn’t stepped on the field.
Jalen Stroman recorded a 44-yard pick-six to open the game. Storman then blocked a punt on the next possession and Luke Talich snatched for a 22-yard touchdown. Leonard Moore then recorded a 46-yard pick-six a few minutes later.
“Unique game,” stated Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. “I haven't been a part of a game like that. I don't know if I've ever seen a game like that. 21 points on the board and the offense hasn't been on the field.
“It's also a reflection, and you have to be in the position to make those plays. To block a punt you have to be in that position. Credit to our guys for being in those positions and then taking advantage of the opportunity.”
It was a fitting day for Stroman, who transferred from Virginia Tech in the offseason.
Stroman, who finished with a team-high eight tackles, had not recorded an interception in his career and wasn’t planning to start this weekend. An injury to Tae Johnson paved the way for him to get the starting nod on Senior Day and Stroman was ready.
“I just took everything in and just worked hard,” explained Stroman. “Every opportunity, I'm going to take it and take advantage of it. I always think that doing everything while you wait is right.
“Coach Freeman always told me to be patient. Your time's coming and you don't know when your time is going to be, but you're going to be read. I've been working hard for it and Coach Freeman knows.”
The journey hasn’t been easy. Stroman missed most of last season due to injury, only to see Johnson emerge as a rising star. Instead of sulking, he stayed the course.
“It sucks to get injured,” Stroman stated. “It sucks to go on the bench, but you've got to work. Nothing's handed to you. You always got to work for everything that's in front of you. I just took it in and just worked, put my head down and keep working.”
For Moore, the day symbolized that Notre Dame is on the right track. The year didn’t start as expected, but the team didn’t drift apart and put in the work.
Notre Dame has also not forgotten what the first two weeks of the season felt like.
“Just practicing with the same mentality and remembering what it feels like to be 0-2,” Moore stated. “He always says, remember the pain and that's something we won't let happen again. We attack every practice, and we go at it like it's our last practice.”
Storman has the unique experience of being part of another team, but he admits his time at Notre Dame has been different.
“I love this team,” said Stroman. “This team is everything to me. You can go from offense to defense to special teams, punters, long snappers, everybody loves each other. It's just a great bond in this team and I've never had that in my life.
“It just feels good to be a part of it. It feels great just to be with these boys, and I wouldn't change it for anything.”
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