Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/421584
IN THE TRENCHES ANDREW OWENS S enior Kyle Brindza slowly walked off the field in disbelief after the latest kicking game drama pre- vented the Irish from tying Louisville late in a 31-28 Notre Dame loss. Fifth-year senior Justin Utupo had to be consoled by a pair of teammates on the Notre Dame bench at the conclu- sion of the program's first Senior Day loss under head coach Brian Kelly. With the marching band playing the university's alma mater, injured senior Joe Schmidt briskly hobbled toward the northwest end zone as quickly as his crutches would allow to partake in the postgame tradition. Just like that, it had ended. The Irish entered the month having won 17 of 18 at home, but have stumbled to the finish line with consecutive defeats at Notre Dame Stadium. After a 6-0 start to the season, Notre Dame has now lost four of five as doubt begins to creep into the program. November began with College Football Playoff hopes and will end — regardless of the outcome of the game at 7-4 USC Nov. 29 — with questions about the program's di- rection. For the fourth time in five years un- der Kelly, the Irish have lost at least four regular-season games. "You're going to get hit in the face, there's no doubt about it," senior guard Nick Martin said. "Every team faces adversity, and there's no doubt November Swoon Leads To Offseason Questions Senior quarterback Everett Golson will return in 2015 along with most of the current Irish squad, which has the talent to contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff if it can build off of this year's frustrating finish. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA