Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BY DOUGLAS FARMER A gainst Northwestern, Brian Kelly's decision not to attempt a kick proved costly. In a 31-28 loss to Louisville, Notre Dame's inability to avoid a late kick led to its fourth loss in five games. The Irish (7-4) took timeout with 1:42 left and trailing the Cardinals (8- 3) by three, readying for a first-and- goal from the 10-yard line. Sopho- more running back Tarean Folston ran for one yard before senior quar- terback Everett Golson suffered a six- yard sack on second down. Golson's third-down pass into the back of the end zone went off junior wide re- ceiver C.J. Prosise's hands, forcing a field goal attempt from 32 yards out. Junior long snapper Scott Daly de- livered the ball with no issue, and sophomore Malik Zaire caught it and initially appeared to get it into posi- tion for senior kicker Kyle Brindza, who sent the attempt wide right with only 51 seconds remaining. Kelly said Brindza expressed to him that Zaire's hold might not have been as desired, an opinion that replays seemed to sup- port. "I don't think it was executed at the level it need to be," the Irish head coach said. "I didn't see it … but in talking to Kyle, it did not appear to be handled cleanly." Louisville put Notre Dame into an early hole, scoring touchdowns on its first two possessions of the game, while the Irish managed only a pair of field goals in their first three tries. Twice Louisville freshman quarterback Reggie Bonnafon ran for touchdowns, one from 12 yards out and the other from eight. Twice Brindza — after suc- cessful snaps and holds from Daly and Zaire, respectfully — kicked field goals, a 28-yarder and a 37-yarder. "Reggie's ability to run the ball in the first half was huge for us getting a couple balls in the end zone," Car- dinals head coach Bobby Petrino said. "They made some adjustments, and that opened up the inside run for us." Once Notre Dame turned its focus to Bonnafon, Louisville turned to red- KICKING THEMSELVES Missed opportunities, including a late errant field goal, again haunt the Irish in 31-28 loss to Louisville