I just finished re-watching the ND-Syracuse game (what better time than Lent?) for some defensive stuff we're looking into doing on BGS some time in the future.

Anyway, while nothing can or should excuse that loss, I guess I didn't notice the first time around just how much ND was playing the 2nd string on defense. It's not as surprising in retrospect that Syracuse was able to wear down the defense. We were already playing all the subs.

For nearly the entire second half, our defense consisted of Justin Brown, Ray Herring, Gary Gray, Toryan Smith or Steve Quinn, and Ian Williams along with more regular starters in Kuntz, H. Smith, Neal, Bruton (playing with a bulky arm brace), and McNeil. Scott Smith even got in to replace Harrison Smith on a play (and would have played more, but he forced a fumble on his first play!) That's a lot of backup guys.

Hopefully this spring ND can fill up a legitimate two deep of guys on defense that don't make you hold your breath when they come in (too be fair, Herring and Gray didn't play too poorly against 'Cuse.)