Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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GAME PREVIEW: SYRACUSE On PaPer BY DOUGLAS FARMER SYRACUSE RUNNING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE Over the last two seasons, Jerome Smith ran for more than 2,000 yards for the Orange. But the reli- able runner graduated following last season, leaving senior Prince-Tyson Gulley to fill the void. Gulley has averaged more than five yards per carry each of the last two seasons, and he opened his 2014 campaign with 100 yards on only 11 carries, including a 65-yard touchdown burst. An experienced offensive line opens paths for Gulley, returning four starters and 78 combined starts. Notre Dame opened the season holding Rice and Michigan to 3.2 yards per carry, a yard better than last year's season average of 4.2. That improvement largely can be traced to defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder's aggressive style and sophomore line- backer Jaylon Smith's raw speed. So far, the Irish have not allowed a 20-yard run — in fact, they have allowed only three runs of more than 10 yards. Notre Dame should stifle the Syracuse rushing attack, but Gulley is a threat to break a big one if given a crease. Advantage: Even SYRACUSE PASSING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE Starting quarterback Terrel Hunt, a senior, was ejected from Syracuse's season opener in the first half after punching a Villanova defender. Hunt ended his 2014 premiere 10-of-17 passing for 94 yards. In came sophomore Austin Wilson, who managed to throw for 89 yards on 11-of-17 passing. The Orange has a relatively inexperienced receiv- ing corps. Last year's leading pass catcher, junior Ashton Broyld, caught 52 passes for only 452 yards (8.7 yards per reception). In the 2014 season opener versus Villanova, he hauled in five passes for 57 yards while fifth-year senior Jarrod West contributed five catches for 59 yards. Notre Dame's secondary will be without fifth-year senior safety Austin Collinsworth (strained MCL) and possibly junior cornerback KeiVarae Russell due to the academic fraud investigation. Without that veteran leadership, junior safety Elijah Shumate and sophomore safety Max Redfield have stepped forward to direct the defense while fifth-year senior cornerback and recent Florida transfer Cody Riggs has made his impact on the defense felt from the outset. Though it is not the secondary the Irish envisioned before the season started, it has held opposing quar- terbacks to 207.5 yards per game with two touch- downs and four interceptions in the first two games. Advantage: Notre Dame In his first start of 2014, senior running back Prince-Tyson Gulley broke a 65-yard touchdown run and finished with 100 yards on 11 carries. PHOTO COURTESY SYRACUSE ATHLETICS