Irish Keep Their Perfect Season in Tact, Steamroll Orange 36-3

The Fighting Irish improved to 11-0 and are one game away
from their first College Football Playoff. (c) Sam Carter 2018

Story by Dominick Muccilo
Photos by Sam Carter

BRONX, N.Y. - Once dubbed “New York’s College team” on signs in Yankee Stadium, Syracuse couldn’t have felt less at home on Saturday afternoon. This time, the end zones read, “Notre Dame” in a Yankees style script, the Irish’s logo was on both 20 yard lines, and Notre Dame players had pinstripe pants on. Justin Tuck, a Super Bowl champion and Notre Dame alum, came onto the big screen at the start of the game to a roar from the sellout crowd, which mainly consisted of fans in green and gold. The small percentage of the 48,104 that were draped in Orange made up most of the left field section of the Stadium, and by the middle of the 4th quarter, most had filed out. 

Dreams of a New Year’s Six Bowl game were squashed for the Syracuse Orange on national television. In fact, by the end of the first quarter, things were already looking grim. After winning the toss and going three-and-out on their first possession, it didn’t take long for Ian Book and the Irish offense to find their tempo. Book, the junior quarterback, lead a 55 yard drive down the field that ended with a Dexter Williams touchdown for the first score of the game. With a chance for Syracuse to answer, Eric Dungey was intercepted by Notre Dame Safety Jalen Elliot when looking for Taj Harris over the middle. Just like that, Notre Dame held a 10-0 lead 8 minutes into the contest. However, that would prove to be the least of the Orange’s problems. 

On the ensuing possession, senior quarterback Eric Dungey rushed up the middle for a gain of four yards. He popped up and as he was getting ready for the next play, Dungey grabbed his back and fell over in pain. For several minutes the medical staff tended to him and eventually helped him off the field, which meant the New Jersey native Tommy DeVito’s number would be called on yet again. No stranger to coming off the bench, Head Coach Dino Babers didn’t hesitate to draw up a play. DeVito launched a 42-yard strike to Nykiem Johnson who appeared to come up with it in the end zone, then had it narrowly slip through his grasp once he hit the ground. This chance for the Orange would be the only time they came close to making it a ballgame. 

DeVito was forced to suit up in a big spot yet again after
Dungy left with a back injury (c) Sam Carter 2018

Ian Book, the 3-star recruit who came into today leading country in completion percentage (74.5) showed no signs of rust after being sidelined last week with a rib injury. By halftime, the Irish lead 20-0 and the junior had 253 passing yards and a touchdown. Book said Dexter Williams, Notre Dame’s running back who had two scores on the day, was a huge part of their game plan. 

“Getting the ball to Dexter any way we can is what we want to do,” Book said. 

Book was able to find him once through the air, and leaned on him to open up the pass, as the NFL prospect ran for 5.7 yards per carry. If the Irish hadn’t settled for field goals in Syracuse territory three different times, the score would have been even more lopsided. 

The whole afternoon the Orange couldn’t get anything going on offense, something Head Coach Dino babers doesn’t necessarily attribute to being without Eric Dungey. 

“I don’t know if that was that big of a blow,” Babers said. “There were a lot of mistakes, missed tackles, dropped balls, dropped touchdowns in the end zone.” 

Dexter Williams' 32-yard score put Notre Dame up 36-0.
He had 13 carries for 74 yards on the day. (c) Sam Carter 2018

As for Eric Dungey, his coach said that he was unsure of the severity of Dungey’s injury and his status for next week at Boston College is unknown. Redshirt freshman Tommy DeVito did the best he could to fill the void, but it wasn’t enough. DeVito was 14 for 31 with no touchdowns and two interceptions on the day. 

“Their defense played really well, you’ve got to give them props,” DeVito said. “It’s just a bunch of little things, we need put things together and get drives going to help the defense out.” 

Notre Dame hung 36 points on the Syracuse defense, but perhaps it was because they were exhausted. The Irish held possession for 32 minutes in the game and the Orange had four three-and-out drives. 

Next week, the Orange travel to Boston College to face the 20th ranked Eagles in a noon matchup on ESPN. For Coach Babers, he thinks the team needs to shape up in a hurry. 

“We need to get back and regroup,” Babers said. “Get back to playing the football we’re used to playing."

More photos from the game: 

By: Kylan W. Watson

The Syracuse football team dominated the Louisville Cardinals, winning 54-23 on senior day, in front of 42, 797 fans. The Cardinals had plenty of chances to make it interesting against the Orange, but four early turnovers would seal their fate.   

“Words doesn’t give it justice,” Syracuse head football coachDino Babers said. “Couple of head coaching changes, a whole bunch of coordinator changes. Players that are in and out. Some players that are with us, some players that left, that didn’t have faith. Believe without evidence that we could get it done. I’m just really proud of that class. The things we were able to accomplish. They will be etched in stone forever.”

The Orange were able to rely mostly on their rushing attack on the offensive side of the ball. Syracuse had 326 total rushing yards. They were led by junior Moe Neal who had 159 total yards and two touchdowns. Neal has continued his ascension as the feature back of this high-powered rushing attack.

Neal was not the only one who got in on the scoring action, as Eric Dungey had two rushing touchdowns and completed 13 of 25 passes for 189 yards, he threw a 65-yard bomb to sophomore Nykiem Johnson. Dungey put on a clinic in front of some loud fans.

“We wanted to smash these guys,” senior quarterback Eric Dungey said. “All those times they beat us, it was on our minds.”

On the defensive side of the ball, the Orange defensive line dominated the offensive line of the Cardinals.  Syracuse was able to get six turnovers against Louisville.  Syracuse also sacked the quarterback five times. 

(c), 2018 Kylan Watson

By: Kylan W. Watson

Bob Costas is a reporter who has seen a lot of gruesome stuff in his career and he wants to share his knowledge with others. The Radio Sports Broadcasting/ Play by Play class at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications was the first class to go through the concussion reporting workshop on Monday evening.

Costas came to Professor Olivia Stomski with an idea to start a class or program for students so they can learn how to report brain injuries in a responsible way.

It was created to leverage the power of the media to educate people on brain injuries.

The Media Project was created in conjunction with the Concussion Legacy Foundation.

Stomski says, “The leaders of the program are her, J.A. Adande, Andrea Kramer and Costas.”

The project was created to give reporters access to the cutting-edge technology that will bring about accurate reporting of concussions to take the small step in changing the culture, because most viewers, athletes, and families have not had formal education on how to identify concussions. Also, to eliminate the words dinged-up and toughening up from the dictionary of sports commentators.

Sam Carter, a student in the Play by Play class said, “I think it’s the next big wave and the future of sports broadcasting. Its kind of already here.”

The Play by Play class is the first of many that will be trained on how to report on concussions. More classes are coming to make sure the next generation of reporters, analysts, and commentators can report on concussions with accuracy and responsibility.

Concussion Class Photos

From Jersey to Dress

By Kendra Sheehan - At 4:56pm graduate student Isis Young was still on the basketball court, after the team had a dominating opening match against North Dakota. By 6:00pm, instead of basketball shoes and her number 23 jersey from the court, Young had transitioned to a red dress and heels and was seated at the anchor desk ready to switch rolls. Young serves as a sports analyst and last night she covered  the men’s basketball opener against Eastern Washington on the ACC Network pregame and half time show.

It was a hectic day as I had the chance to follow Young through the quick transition from student athlete to broadcaster. While her schedule is jam packed, Young says the immense time and effort she puts in to be successful at both is completely worth it.

“I tell people that I really love what I do,” said Young. “I love basketball. I love broadcasting.  You know I don't mind putting the time in to be able to do it when I truly enjoy what I'm doing.”

From a 3 point score to a steal, Young acted as the 6^th man on the court, bringing energy and speed into the game. After a great home opener it seemed effortless as she transitioned to providing a thoughtful analysis for the ACC Network.

Co-host of the ACC network show Drew Carter says with the incredible amount of time it takes to prepare for one show, he can’t imagine how Young is able to find time for it all.

“It's not just about the day of. Obviously this has to be crazy hectic for her but it's more about the day to day grind, “ said Carter. “I feel like I work a full time job as a student and doing all this stuff, and this is basically doing that two  fold and I can't even imagine doing that, it’s crazy.”

When I asked if there was ever any concern that she would make it in time for both, Carter said knowing the type of person Young is; there was never a doubt in his mind.

“I’ve hosted with former athletes and it wasn’t nearly as smooth,“ Carter said. “She is super super talented and very smart. I always tend to think that the quality of work ethic off the air translates on the air.”

Young also attributes her success to the strong support system she has back home. Her family was at the game showing their support with a warm embrace before she had to rush off the court. As a concerned parent, Young’s mother Denise Young wonders how she can manage it all.

“We absolutely get worried when she's gone to work and we wonder how she's really doing it all but I think it's a tribute to her time and skills and her dedication to both,”  she said. “One thing I like to say is that we're extremely proud of Isis and we wish her the best of luck in everything she does.”







Gallery Photos:
(c) 2018 Ashtyn Hiron