Coming off huge excitement of the NDL Kickoff Classic, the Irish took the trip to Syracuse to square off with a very feisty squad. QB Riley Leonard started much stronger than he did vs the Tide, leading Notre Dame down the field on their opening possession, capping it with a nifty catch and run from HB Jeremiyah Love. But it didn't take Syracuse long to answer the call, as QB Michael Johnson Jr. found WR Zeed Haynes for a 58yd strike. The Notre Dame offense really tried to set the tone in through the end of the 1st Quarter and throughout the 2nd Quarter, controlling the ball with a couple of long drives that ended in TD runs from HB Love, while the defense played strong through the first half, leading to a 21-7 Notre Dame advantage.
Syracuse wasn't going to let the Irish run of them at home though. Coach TexaNole dialed up the perfect play call on the opening possession of the 2nd half as HB LeQuint Allen sliced the Irish defense for an 87yd TD run (21-14 Irish). After a couple of errant passes from Leonard, Syracuse struck again, this time QB Michael Johnson Jr. found WR Trebor Pena, to tie it up at 21!
Sensing the big momentum shift in the JMA Dome, Leonard's veteran calmness took over as he engineered an efficient drive and this time he found Love free in the middle of the field for a 29yd reception and giving the Irish a 28-21 lead through 3.
Throughout the 4th, Notre Dame was able to control the clock and ball getting back to back 16yd TD runs from HB Jadarian Price, to put Notre Dame up 42-21. But not ones for giving up, Syracuse kept fighting as Coach Texanole phoned in some more trickery and the Syracuse offense executed a perfect flea flicker, which let Johnson find Justus Ross-Simmons for an 83 yard score. Unfortunately for Syracuse, S Ben Minnich made the play to recover the onside kick attempt and the Irish secured the road victory over Syracuse.
Post-game, Coach Reign had this to say, "Coming of a huge emotional contest, we we were really concerned with a let done. We know Coach Texanole and his 'Cuse team have been working hard this off-season and they'd be waiting to take advantage. There's a lot of new faces in the NDL, new wrinkles and new styles, you never know what you'll get. I think what we saw today was a very good gameplan by Syracuse and a well coached team that's going to be a big problem around the NDL for a long time to come. Looking forward to future matchups here!"
In an electrifying game at the Loud House, Notre Dame emerged victorious over Syracuse, securing a hard-fought win. Syracuse displayed remarkable tenacity, tying the game in the middle of the third quarter, but ultimately fell short.
Syracuse put up a valiant fight, demonstrating their resilience and determination. The Orange managed to tie the game in the third quarter, showing they were not going down without a fight. Their spirited comeback electrified the home crowd and showcased their potential under the new leadership of Coach TexaNole.
**Coach TexaNole's Debut**
In his debut as the new head coach, TexaNole experienced a baptism by fire as the sixth-ranked Notre Dame team traveled to face Syracuse. Despite the loss, Coach TexaNole's presence was felt on the field, and his strategic decisions kept Syracuse competitive throughout the game.
**Defensive Struggles**
One area that clearly needs improvement is Syracuse's defense, which allowed a staggering 470 yards. Coach TexaNole acknowledged the defensive lapses but remained optimistic about the team's potential. He knows there's much to learn and adjust, but this game served as a valuable learning experience.
**ACC Teams Beware**
If this game is any indication, the ACC better be on watch. Syracuse's performance, despite the loss, hinted at a team that is poised to be a formidable contender. With Coach TexaNole at the helm, Syracuse is gearing up to make waves in the conference.
**Looking Ahead**
As Syracuse moves forward, there is a sense of optimism and anticipation. The team showed flashes of brilliance and the ability to compete with top-tier opponents. Coach TexaNole's journey has just begun, and the ACC will undoubtedly keep a close eye on Syracuse in the coming games.
In conclusion, while Notre Dame secured the win, Syracuse's effort and determination under new leadership signal exciting times ahead for the Orange.
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