No. 3 Irish Win Shamrock Series Tilt With Orange, 36-3

Saturday, November 17

Bronx, NY

2:30 PM

Syracuse University

8-3

Notre Dame

11-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Syracuse

Notre Dame

No. 3 Irish Win Shamrock Series Tilt With Orange, 36-3

11/17/2018 5:36:00 PM | Football

Box Score Photo Gallery Dino Babers Press Conference Kendall Coleman Press Conference Tommy DeVito Press Conference Postgame Notes Quotes

BRONX, N.Y. – No. 3 Notre Dame (11-0) took advantage of three first-half turnovers by No. 12 Syracuse (8-3) and claimed a 36-3 decision in the Shamrock Series game played at Yankee Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 17.

A sellout crowd of 48,104 saw the Orange and the Fighting Irish tangle at Yankee Stadium for the first time since 1963.

Syracuse's four-game winning streak ended with the defeat. The loss also spoiled the Orange's opportunity to finish the season unbeaten in non-conference action for the first time since 1993.

HOW IT WAS DECIDED
The Orange did not pick up a first down until its series. By then they were already down 10-0 courtesy of a 9-yard TD reception by Notre Dame's Dexter Williams and a 26-yard field goal by Justin Yoon. Overall, the Irish tallied the first 36 points of the game. Syracuse's three points were the result of a 28-yard Andre Szmyt field goal with 10 seconds to play.

TURNOVERS TELL THE STORY
Syracuse was victimized by three first-half turnovers – each a Notre Dame interception. The takeways led to 10 Notre Dame points.

Strong safety Jalen Elliott intercepted Eric Dungey in the first quarter and returned it 24 yards to the Orange 15-yard line. The Syracuse held and Irish settled for Yoon's 26-yard field goal.

On the first play of the second quarter, Tommy DeVito was picked off by Alohi Gilman at the Notre Dame 16. The Irish ended up punting on the ensuing series.

The Orange were not as fortunate later in the second quarter. DeVito's pass to freshman Taj Harris was knocked loose and intercepted by Gilman. He returned it 54 yards inside the Syracuse 10. Notre Dame scored on the next play, a 9-yard run by Jafar Armstrong, to extend its advantage to 20-0.

On the other side, Notre Dame had just one turnover, an endzone interception by Syracuse rookie Andre Cisco in the second quarter.

The game marked the first time all season the did not at least break even in the turnover battle.

DUNGEY DEPARTS
Dungey, Syracuse's record-setting quarterback, was forced to leave the game with an injury midway through the Orange's third possession. He was evaluated for an upper-body injury and did not return. He completed 1-of-4 passes for 10 and rushed twice for eight yards before exiting.

SYRACUSE'S BEST CHANCE PART I
After either a turnover of a punt on their first 11 possessions of the game, the Orange had its best scoring chance in the fourth quarter. Syracuse moved 68 yards in 18 plays, advancing as far as the Notre Dame 5-yard line. On fourth-and-4 from the five, Szmyt saw his 23-yard field-goal attempt hit the upright. It was Szmyt's first miss from inside 40 yards this season. He had been 20-for-20 from that distance.

SYRACUSE'S BEST CHANCE PART II
On Syracuse's final possession, the Orange advance to the Irish 10-yard line. This time Szmyt converted a 28-yard field goal to avert the shutout. The final drive covered 55 yards in 11 plays.

Szmyt's field goal was his 28th of the year, setting a new ACC record for made field goals in season. He is now three shy of Billy Bennett's (Georgia) NCAA FBS record of 31 set in 2003.

NUMBERS FAVOR NOTRE DAME
The Irish outgained Syracuse 463-234 and accumulated 23 first downs to Syracuse's 16. Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book completed 23-of-37 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns. Williams ran 13 times for 74 yards and a score and also caught a 9-yard touchdown pass.

Te'von Coney had 12 tackles to lead the Notre Dame defense. Gilman, who had two interceptions, added eight tackles.

BABERS BITE
"We have got some guys that are hurting based off of what happened in a football game," Orange head coach Dino Babers said. "We need to get back and regroup and play the type of football that we have been playing all season. This is a speed bump and we just don't want it to happen again."

OF NOTE

With the victory, Notre Dame improved its advantage in the all-time series with Syracuse to 6-3.
Senior linebacker Ryan Guthrie equaled his career-best effort with 12 total tackles in the game. He had 12 stops earlier in the season against North Carolina.
Junior running back Moe Neal ran 18 times for 74 yards to lead the Orange ground attack.
Senior Dontae Strickland's two pass receptions in the game raised his career total 62, third-most all-time among SU running backs. Antwon Bailey (2008-11) has the school record with 92 catches.
Cisco's second-quarter interception was his sixth of the season and tied him for the FBS lead. Boston College's Hamp Cheevers and Juwan Foggie of Charlotte entered the day with six, as well.
In addition to his interception, Cisco had nine tackles to equal his career high. He also had nine stops against North Carolina.
Syracuse got sacks from Kenneth Ruff and Brandon Berry. Berry's was the first of his Orange career.

UP NEXT
Syracuse plays at Boston College in the regular-season finale for both teams Saturday, Nov. 24. Kickoff is scheduled for noon at Alumni Stadium. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.

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