It was a Senior Day to remember in South Bend, as Notre Dame started the game with plenty of focus, and finished off Syracuse with an impressive 70-7 win.
There was a lot to like out of what we saw from the Irish on Saturday, but there are still areas of where improvement can be made. That still resulted in a massive, blowout victory, extending Notre Dame’s winning streak to 9-games.
More than a few things continued to stick out in my mind about this game, and here are my final thoughts on Notre Dame’s impressive win over Syracuse.
Jalen Stroman made us forget quick about Tae Johnson
We aren’t forgetting Johnson, as he’s hopefully back quickly after finding out he’s injured his hand this past week. It was great to see Stroman make a big impact right away, picking off the games first pass. On the first punt, he’d get his hand on it, leading to another touchdown. Stroman would also lead the team in tackles, two of them for loss. Huge game for the senior.
Jeremiyah Love got his first touch with Notre Dame up 21-0
If you would have told me this pre-game, I would have believed you, but not like it happened. Stroman pick-6, Stroman blocked punt scooped by Luke Talich for a score and then Leonard Moore with his own pick-6. Special teams and defense started Notre Dame’s onslaught, and Love just added to it. That first touch he got, it went 45-yards for a touchdown. Completed dominance to start the game.
Should we be worried that CJ Carr has hit a freshman wall?
No, not worried at all after a 5-of-9 for 49-yards performance this afternoon. The offense didn’t need to throw the ball, special teams and defense scored more than Syracuse did all afternoon, and there was no need to open up the offense. No one should be concerned with Carr after this weekend’s “bad” statistical performance.
This was a championship level effort from Notre Dame
I thought that the Irish were trending in this direction last week, but I wasn’t ready to say that this team is a national championship contender. Well, after what we saw yesterday, it very much looks like Notre Dame is. Seeding will be important in the College Football Playoff, but this team has what it takes to make a run at a title.
More Jeremiyah Love love
Can we talk about how historic this performance from Love was. He had eight carries, three of them went for scores, and totaled 171-yards. Love averaged over 21-yards-per-carry, which is absolutely insane. What he’s done in South Bend has been so impressive, and he’s constantly putting his name into the Notre Dame record books. It does seem like he’s going to turn pro, and rightfully so.
Notre Dame on a national-level
This was another good week for the Irish, even though they didn’t see too many teams above them lose. Oklahoma, who jumped Notre Dame in the polls and CFP rankings, struggled to a 17-6 win at home over Missouri. BYU struggled against Cincinnati, and Utah also lost at home to Kansas State. The Irish win over USC won’t look as good after the Trojans lost to Oregon, but last week’s very good win over Pitt is looking a whole lot better. The Panthers upset Georgia Tech, 42-28, on the road, giving the Irish another good win. I could see Notre Dame jumping Oklahoma in the polls this coming week.
Thank you “Seniors”
There was an official Senior Day announcement from Notre Dame, and it has two fourth-year juniors in Aamil Wagner and Jadarian Price. It didn’t include Love, but you have to think that he’s off to the next level. This wasn’t just a celebration of everyone without remaining eligibility, it was about some who have given their all and will be moving on.
Thank you Seniors
How fitting was it for Tyler Buchner to take the last snap of Senior Day at quarterback? It was perfect and you have to think that Marcus Freeman knew exactly what he was doing. This is really his first team, one where it’s all the players that he’s recruited. This one was very special and full of history.
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Final thoughts on Notre Dame’s record-breaking blowout win over ‘Cuse
Reporting by Michael Chen , Fighting Irish Wire / Fighting Irish Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
