Orange Fall To Notre Dame, 31-15

Missed opportunity after missed opportunity.

Despite forcing four turnovers in the first three quarters against an eighth-ranked Notre Dame team who hadn’t committed an error in their first three games, the 2-2 Orange could muster only 6 points on these gifted possessions, eventually faltering 31-15.

Although he fumbled twice and threw two interceptions, one into the hands of Durell Eskridge for a pick-six in the fourth quarter, Heisman candidate Everett Golson set the Notre Dame school-record with 25 consecutive completions while throwing for 363 yards and four touchdowns over the course of the night as the Fighting Irish overcame some sloppy sequences en route to a 4-0 record.

Displaying his excellent arm strength and pocket precision, Terrel Hunt overcame a stingy Notre Dame pass rush to the tune of 294 yards over the air, however an early-third quarter interception to Matthais Farley at the Notre Dame 40-yard line stifled a promising drive and opened the door for a Golson-Corey Robinson touchdown connection, giving the Irish a 21-3 lead they would not relinquish.

Although the second quarter wouldn’t go as smoothly, the Syracuse defense opened the outing with an exceptional showing, forcing a Golson fumble on the Cuse 16 on the opening possession of the contest, in addition to two punts sandwiched in between a Brandon Reddish interception with 2:47 remaining in the quarter.

Sep 27, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson (5) fumbles as he is hit by Syracuse Orange linebacker Cameron Lynch (38) in the first quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

As was the story of the night, however, the offensive attack of the Orange failed to capitalize on these opportunities, punting on three separate occasions in the first quarter, going as far as the Notre Dame 44.

Against a playoff-caliber team like the Irish, chances like these must be taken advantage of, and it didn’t take long for the Notre Dame offense to emerge from their slump by the time the second quarter rolled around.

Beginning his astounding completion streak, Golson lead ND on a convincing 11-play, 95-yard drive, capped of by a 23-yard touchdown to William Fuller, to grasp a 7-0 advantage with 10:56 left in the second.

Following Riley Dixon’s fifth punt of the night, the Irish struck immediately, as Golson connected with Fuller once again, this time on a 72-yard bomb to take a 14-0 lead with 8:31 remaining in the half.

Sep 27, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Everett Golson (5) drops back to pass against the Syracuse Orange during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Notre Dame defeated Syracuse 31-15. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

The Orange finally broke out on the ensuing 13-play, 55-yard drive, however they could only put up three on the board after a 38-yarder from freshman walk-on Cole Murphy, who received the place-kicking nod tonight instead of junior Ryan Norton.

After a 54-yard drive had the Irish in position to take a three-possession lead heading into the break, Golson fumbled what was supposed to be a simple spike with 11 seconds remaining in the quarter, leading to just a 14-3 ND advantage at the half.

The second half began with promise for the ‘Cuse, only to see the mistakes resurface as an underthrow by Hunt resulted in Farley’s interception, forcing the offense to sit back and witness the ensuing Irish drive of 60 yards on nine plays, ending with an eight-yard score by tight end Corey Robinson, the son of San Antonio Spurs legend David Robinson.

The Orange would finally capitalize on a forced turnover later in the quarter, however, as a fumble by Notre Dame running back Greg Bryant resulted in a 7-play, 72-yard series, capped off by Hunt’s 7-yard TD run.

Sep 27, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Syracuse Orange wide receiver Brisly Estime (9) is tackled by Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Elijah Shumate (22) during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Unfortunately, the optimism was short-lived, as Murphy’s extra-point attempt was blocked, and the Irish converted on their next possession with a 13-yard score by Torii Hunter Jr., stretching the deficit to 28-9 with 10:19 to go.

Murphy would then suffer the first missed field goal of his college career, clanging a 37-yarder off the right post, before the ‘Cuse would finally find their way back into the end zone with Elkridge’s 29-yard interception return for a score, cutting the Notre Dame lead to 13.

The Orange failed a two-point conversion, however, as the score would remain at 28-15 until Kyle Brindza’s 37-yarder with 1:57 remaining gave Notre Dame a final advantage of 31-15.

Additional Notes: The ground game was certainly a disappointment for Syracuse (besides Dixon’s 42-yard fake punt), as Prince Tyson-Gulley garnered just 29 yards on 8 carries, Hunt mustered 26 yards on 7 attempts, Ervin Phillips accounted for just 22 yards on 6 carries, and Adonis Ameen-Moore had just 15 yards on 5 carries.

Wide receiver Jarrod West enjoyed some success receiving the rock, gaining 103 yards on 8 receptions. Fuller lead the Irish in receiving with 169 yards and two touchdowns on six catches, while Robinson exploded for 91 yards and a TD.