No. 9 Notre Dame continues its pursuit of a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) as it prepares to face a struggling Syracuse team. With a record of 8-2, Notre Dame is aiming to secure a place in the top eight of the CFP rankings, which would ensure a home playoff game. This matchup takes place on senior day, adding extra emotion to the occasion.
Head coach Marcus Freeman emphasized the importance of focus during this emotional day. “You run out there for what you know could be your last time in Notre Dame Stadium, but after you see your families and you get back to that sideline, you have to flip the switch back to competition mode,” Freeman stated. He noted that it is crucial for players to be reminded of this transition.
Senior tight end Eli Raridon expressed the importance of this game for the team, saying, “Our seniors want nothing else than to keep playing games, and it”d be awesome if we had one more home game in December,” reflecting the team”s hopes for a high playoff ranking.
Syracuse, on the other hand, started the season strong with a 3-1 record but has since faltered, currently sitting at 3-7. The team lost its starting quarterback, Steve Angeli, to a torn Achilles tendon during a notable victory against Clemson. Angeli had thrown ten touchdown passes in his first four games, but the team has since struggled offensively, averaging only 11.7 points per game and losing six consecutive matches.
Syracuse head coach Fran Brown is expected to start freshman walk-on Joe Filardi at quarterback, who also plays lacrosse for the university. Filardi replaces redshirt sophomore Rickie Collins. Although Filardi struggled in a previous game against North Carolina, he managed to throw a touchdown pass against Miami, which gives Brown some hope for improvement. “I feel like Joe should go in because of being able to go down and put some points on the board,” Brown said, acknowledging the need for any offensive spark.
Freeman also addressed the status of wide receiver Jaden Greathouse, indicating that he is unlikely to play against Syracuse or in the upcoming game against Stanford. The team is considering redshirting him due to a right thigh injury. “Right now, that”s our mindset, if we don”t have to play him this week, let”s try not to,” Freeman explained, hoping to preserve Greathouse for future games.
Following a disappointing loss to North Carolina, Brown announced staff changes within the Syracuse program. The wide receivers coach Myles White has been replaced by Josh Gattis, while Mike Johnson has shifted from tight ends coach to quarterbacks coach, and Nunzio Campanile has moved from quarterbacks coach to tight ends coach. Brown believes these changes will benefit the team moving forward, stating, “I think moving coach Gattis to the receiver room is helping out.”
As the Fighting Irish gear up for the matchup against the Orange, they remain focused on securing a critical victory that could bolster their playoff aspirations.
