Orange Crusher

Syracuse scored on an 11-yard pass from Cameron Dantley to Donte Davis with 42 seconds remaining to stun Notre Dame by 24-23. The touchdown capped an improbable comeback from a 23-10 fourth quarter deficit for the underdog Orange, who survived a last ditch 52-yard field goal attempt by Brandon Walker as time ran out. As the ball fell to the earth just short of the cross bar, the stadium crowd sank into an eerie silence before the Syracuse sideline exploded with joy.

The loss dropped Notre Dame to 6-5 with almost certain defeat waiting in Los Angeles next weekend. Representatives from the Cotton, Gator and Sun Bowls were in attendance and its fair to assume that the uninspired Irish are no longer in their plans.

The Orange won for only the third time this season, and their 60 minute effort was a career highlight for outgoing coach Greg Robinson. Syracuse won despite playing some of the most inept football at Notre Dame stadium since, well, 2007. Unfortunately for the Irish, they helped set the game of football back a half century with their display of offensive incompetence. They also lost the fourth quarter by 14-0 to a team that had been outscored 94-20 in this period coming into the game.

The teams exchanged first quarter field goals before the Orange put together an 81-yard scoring drive midway through the second period. Notre Dame responded with a field goal to cut the Syracuse lead to 10-6, but did not see the ball again until only 40 seconds remained in the half.

That was enough time for Jimmy Clausen to hit three quick passes for 37 yards before launching a 35-yard touchdown strike to Golden Tate for a 13-10 lead just two seconds before halftime. Boos turned into cheers for the Irish as the teams retreated into the locker room.

The third quarter turned into a bizarre exchange of gaffes that would make any football purist consider seppuku. The Orange took the ball and committed two penalties and threw three incomplete passes before attempting to punt. Mike Anello burst through and got a piece of the ball for Notre Dame, who took over at the Syracuse 23.

A ten yard burst by Armando Allen was negated by a holding penalty, and Arthur Jones sacked Clausen on the next play. After yet another holding call, the embarrassed Irish faced a fourth down and 40 yards. The Orange fared no better on their next series. A near interception by David Bruton was followed by another incompletion, a sack and a second consecutive blocked punt. Sergio Brown did the honors for Notre Dame.

Starting from the Syracuse 21, the Irish managed a first down before the drive stalled and Brandon Walker was called upon for a short field goal attempt. A muff by holder Eric Maust resulted in a missed kick and Notre Dame had squandered two gift-wrapped scoring chances.

The Orange failed to seize the momentum, however, and the Irish put together a solid drive later in the period to extend their lead. Clausen found Tate again down the left sideline for 36 yards and a 20-10 advantage. When Syracuse fumbled on its next offensive play, it looked as though Notre Dame would turn the game into a laugher. Toryan Smith and Gary Gray combined to return the loose ball back the the Orange five yard line, but the Irish failed to move the ball an inch in three plays.

Walker's subsequent three pointer could only move the needle to 23-10, and the Orange knew they were still in it despite a horrible 15 minutes of football. The running game started to find cracks in Notre Dame's defense on the next series. Antwon Bailey shocked the Irish with a 26 yard burst to narrow the margin to 23-17.

As the clock began to wind down, Notre Dame failed to secure the outcome once again despite a 30 yard pass to David Grimes that moved the ball into Syracuse territory. Walker came up just short on a 49-yard attempt with five minutes left, and the Orange were bailed out on the ensuing offensive series when the Irish were called for pass interference on third down.

A holding penalty later in the drive did not deter Syracuse from its mission and the pass to Davis for the winning score almost seemed inevitable after Notre Dame had squandered so many opportunities. The crowd was logically disappointed and frustrated at this turn of events, but even the student section piled on by tossing snowballs as the team and coaching staff trudged off the field.

It was an embarrassing episode in a season that has rapidly deteriorated since the North Carolina game. A probable humiliation against USC may be the tipping point for the Weis experiment at Notre Dame, as it was for his predecessor.

Getting back to Syracuse for a moment, let's take a look at the answers to the questions that helped determine the outcome.

Will the Irish be able to shut down Brinkley and force the Orange to throw the ball?
No. Brinkley and Bailey combined for 170 yards and the Oroange were able to stick with the run even when down by 13.

Can the interior of the Irish offensive line keep Jones and Santiago in check?
No. The pair overpowered Notre Dame inside like men among boys.

Will Notre Dame’s rushers reach the Syracuse average surrender point of 200 yards on the ground?
Syracuse frequently loaded the box and dared Clausen to throw, but the paltry total of 41 rushing yards by the Irish was inexcusable.

Can Jimmy Clausen reestablish a downfield passing threat without Floyd?
Tate and Grimes had productive days statistically, but Robinson was able to find ways to bring pressure at critical times.

Will David Bruton record an interception in his final ND appearance?
Almost. Regrettably, Bruton's inability to stop Davis on the winning pass and his emotional reaction at the end of the game was a poignant scene that won't soon be forgotten.

Will the Irish finish the game properly once they take the lead?
I had a feeling it would come down to this. Maybe they should have worn the green jerseys after all.

As a fellow alumnus from the same era, it pains me to suggest that Weis should resign after this season. Unfortunately, this team has not responded to his leadership and their development as a cohesive team has stagnated despite isolated individual improvements. As painful as it is to make coaching changes, the University must act sooner rather than later to secure a proven coach no matter how challenging or expensive the task may be.

The administration has done nothing but exacerbate the decline of the program for 15 years, and it's beyond time that they are held accountable. Scores of alumni have been complicit by their silence, but this malfeasance cannot be allowed to stand by any of us.