Syracuse Orange at Notre Dame Football: 3 Studs and 3 Duds

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There were a few duds in the blowout victory. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Syracuse Orange at Notre Dame Football: 3 Studs and 3 Duds

3 Duds

Notre Dame’s Run Defense

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish defense had not allowed more than 153 yards per contest the entire year. However, the 123rd-best or 5th worst (depending on your perspective) rushing offense rushed for 229 yards on the 7th best rushing defense in this one.

Most likely, this is a one-off game that will not have any effect on the remainder of the season, but it was not a good look for the 2nd ranked team in the country.

Ian Book’s Interception Streak

For 266 passes, Book went without throwing an interception. However, on Saturday, Syracuse baited Book into throwing a deep ball that was intercepted by Ja’Had Carter. Book finished the season with only two interceptions while throwing for 15 touchdowns.

Overall, he completed 63.3% of his passes for 2,382 yards. Book added 465 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground as well. Perhaps the best news of Book’s interception streak ending is that another is probably beginning. Over the past two seasons, Book is throwing an interception every 85 attempts.

Next. 3 Reason Ian Book Should Be a Heisman Contender. dark

Matt Salerno’s Helmet

After bobbling a punt return, Syracuse’s Markenzy Pierre leveled Irish punt returner, Matt Salerno, with a helmet to helmet hit. Salerno’s golden dome helmet burst with flakes of gold paint and Pierre was ejected for targeting. Thankfully and amazingly, Salerno did not suffer a concussion or any serious injury. On Sunday, the Notre Dame walk-on tweeted about the hit stating:

"No concussion, no headache, no symptoms… I’ll be applying for jobs as a crash test dummy on the slim chance the league turns me down"

All is well that ends well.

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