Nov. 30--Just where does Saturday's 49-14 loss to USC rate among the calamities Notre Dame has suffered the last third of the season?
Not much differently than the rest.
The offense was sluggish while the defense did all it could despite severe personnel losses. After a promising start to the season, the Irish are left begging to get a victory.
Offense
D- The Irish fell behind 35-0 and receivers dropped too many passes. The lone bright spots were backup quarterback Malik Zaire, who tried to make a case he should be the starter over Everett Golson, and tailback Greg Bryant. But it was much too little, much too late.
Defense
F What can fans reasonably expect out of a unit that has had such terrible luck with injuries? The Irish were bracing for the worst against USC and they got it, with Trojans quarterback Cody Kessler throwing for six touchdowns, setting a record for an opponent facing Notre Dame.
Special teams
F The return games did nothing to distinguish themselves and Kyle Brindza doinked his lone field-goal attempt off the left upright.
Coaching
F The Irish had almost no energy to start the game on offense while the defense needs to improve its tackling. The coaching staff has a lot to evaluate over the next few months.
