Syracuse University
Notre Dame
Dantley to Davis! Syracuse Warms Up at Notre Dame
11/22/2008 6:58:29 PM | Football
Syracuse 24, Notre Dame 23
Photo Gallery
SOUTH BEND, IN -- Senior quarterback Cameron Dantley hit sophomore wideout Donte Davis on an 11-yard slant pattern with 42 seconds left to push Syracuse past Notre Dame, 24-23. With the wind-chill factor dipping below 20 degrees, the Orange held off a last-second field goal attempt by the Irish to clinch the upset.
Junior defensive tackle Arthur Jones had the game of his career, leading both squads with 15 total tackles. Included were four tackles behind the line of scrimmage for 24 yards in losses. He had 1.5 quarterback sacks.
The triumph was Syracuse's first in three tries at Notre Dame Stadium and evened the overall series between the schools at 3-3. The Orange overcame a 13-point, second-half deficit to record the triumph.
The drama began after Notre Dame missed a 49-yard field goal in the fourth quarter while holding a 23-17 advantage. Syracuse took over at its own 32 and Dantley led the Orange on an eight-play, 68-yard march capped by the TD toss to Davis.
Freshman running back Antwon Bailey started the game-winning drive with three straight carries that totalled 29 yards, including a 20-yard scamper to start the possession. A pass interference call on the Irish put the ball on the Notre Dame 24. Bailey ran for 9, two and then three yards when the assault hiccupped with a 10-yard holding penalty on SU. Dantley answered by connecting with senior fullback Tony Fiammetta on a nine-yard completion and then drilling a pass to Davis for the final score.
The Irish received the opening kickoff but were forced to punt after three plays. SU returner Ryan Howard misplayed the kick and Notre Dame recovered deep in Syracuse territory. The Orange defense put a halt to the advance and limited the Irish to a three-pointer.
Syracuse drove into Notre Dame territory after the subsequent kickoff but a 47-yard field goal attempt by senior kicker Patrick Shadle misfired.
On the hosts' second possession of the game, the Syracuse defense halted a fourth-down conversion attempt by the Irish as senior linebacker Jake Flaherty delivered the hit. SU went on the attack immediately and Bailey connected with sophomore wide receiver Dan Sheeran on a 25-yard option pass to put the Orange in scoring position. On the last play of the opening quarter, Shadle drilled a 48-yard field goal to tie the game. The three-pointer was his 13th of the season, good for a 14th-place tie with Tim Vesling (1986) on the SU single-season ledger.
Senior running back Curtis Brinkley's one-yard touchdown dive and Shadle's extra point put Syracuse ahead, 10-6 in the second period. It capped a 13-play, 81-yard drive that featured three big completions from Dantley to Davis (23 yards), redshirt freshman tight end Nick Provo (17 yards) and sophomore wide receiver Da'Mon Merkerson (12 yards). Merkerson's reception put the ball at the one and two players later Brinkley found paydirt, his seventh rushing TD of the campaign.
Notre Dame regained the lead just prior to the break when Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate teamed on a 35-yard scoring reception. The Irish moved 76 yards in five plays in just 38 seconds. After Notre Dame added a field goal and touchdown in the third period, Syracuse answered. Bailey bust up the middle for 26 yards and the score.
Bailey ran a career-high 16 times for 126 yards and a score. In the process, he became the third SU back to post a 100-yard ground game this season. Brinkley added a touchdown and ran 17 times for 44 yards. He moved into seventh on the school's single-season rushing chart (1,104 yards) and 16th on the career ledger (2,072). His 221 rushing attempts this season rank sixth at Syracuse and he upped his career carry total to 478, good for 12th all-time.
Dantley completed 13-of-25 passes for 122 yards. Davis finished with two catches for 34 yards and Provo had two receptions for 28 yards.
The crowd of 80,795 at Notre Dame Stadium was the largest gathering SU had played in front of since 83,717 attended the Syracuse at Florida State gridiron matchup on October 1, 2005.
