Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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early and often to negate the Syracuse (2-2) pass rush. Orange head coach Scott Shafer is a known fan of blitzing and showed it against the Irish, repeat- edly sending five or more defenders after Golson. Notre Dame's first drive ended when a blitz forced Golson to scramble, and his 22-yard dash ended with a fumble. The next Irish drive stalled when two Orange defenders blitzed unchecked by Notre Dame's realigned offensive line, getting simultaneous clean shots at Golson on third down. Both con- nected, and senior Kyle Brindza only had a chance to punt after sophomore lineman Steve Elmer hopped on the fumble. Turnovers became a common theme throughout the evening. Golson's first interception led to a third first-quarter drive being stopped before it began, while Syracuse took his second pick to the end zone for six points before failing on a two-point conversion. For good measure, sophomore running back Greg Bryant got in on the act, as well, with a lost fumble. "You could tell in the locker room there was not the normal chatter, excite- ment," Kelly said. "They knew they did not play the kind of football necessary to win each and every week. This game will get you beat week in and week out." While the offense sputtered, Notre Dame's defense picked up the slack. On three of the four Syracuse pos- sessions started by turnovers — not counting the interception returned for a touchdown — the Irish prevented the Orange from capitalizing on its good fortune. "It's a sudden change," sophomore linebacker Jaylon Smith said of a turn- over's effect. "It's all about the goal to get that three-and-out. Allow no points whenever there is a sudden change. "It's surprising, but for us it's noth- ing we can control. It's all about when our number is called, the defense has to be ready." The Irish were ready enough to hold the Orange to 135 yards rushing, and that figure includes a 42-yard dash on a fake punt. For comparison's sake, a week ago the Orange gashed Maryland for 370 yards on the ground. Limiting a dangerous rushing game begins in practice, a fact not lost on an upper- classmen like junior captain Sheldon Day. "It's just the mentality," the defen- sive lineman said. "Especially Coach [and defensive coordinator Brian] Van- Gorder pushing it to the D-line each and every play in practice. It's defi- nitely a hardcore mentality that we will not be run on." The Irish running game showed marked improvement over its last two outings, while operating with a newly shuffled offensive line. Notre Dame's three-man backfield of senior Cam McDaniel and sophomores Tarean Folston and Greg Bryant combined for 129 yards on 28 carries (4.6 yards per attempt). For the first time this season, more than one back appeared in the Irish backfield at a time. Notre Dame ran a screen pass to McDaniel and a zone- read handoff to Bryant out of the align- ment, as well as a deep pass to Fuller out of a two-back, two-tight-end jumbo set. Fuller pulled that heave in and ran