IN THE TRENCHES ANDREW OWENS
Y
ou couldn't help but notice the
difference in postgame moods
between USC's 49-14 thumping
of Notre Dame and the last time the
Irish played in the Los Angeles Coli-
seum, when they booked their trip
to the BCS National Championship
Game two years ago.
Instead of the chills of a postgame
Gatorade bath, head coach Brian
Kelly felt the icy reality of a program
at a crossroads heading into the off-
season.
There is no chance that Notre Dame
makes the decision to fire Kelly after
a fourth season of four-plus losses in
five years. He's bought himself at least
2015 with a promising young roster
set to return. That, however, does not
lessen the magnitude of the next nine
months with many more questions
than answers.
"This is not just a quarterback situa-
tion," Kelly said of what now appears
to be a competition at signal-caller.
"We can't remember to lose sight of
Dormant Irish Lay Down
In Regular-Season Finale
Head coach Brian Kelly's squad finished the regular season on a four-game losing streak and losses in five
of its last six games to conclude with a 7-5 record.
PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA
