Nov. 23--SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- As his teammates filed onto the field for the usual postgame handshakes, senior cornerback Matthias Farley remained on the sideline staring off into the distance as if he had everything and nothing on his mind.
Farther way, fifth-year defensive lineman Justin Utupo was on the bench, shoulders slumped while teammates Joe Schmidt and Chase Hounshell consoled him to join the rest of the team for the alma mater.
Notre Dame lost to Louisville 31-28 on Saturday's Senior Day after kicker Kyle Brindza missed a potential tying field goal with 51 seconds remaining for Notre Dame's third straight loss. A season that was once on the precipice of the new playoff system now has gone over the edge and is hurtling toward a crash at breakneck speed.
Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns on 16 of 24 passing while Louisville tailback Brandon Radcliff ran for 136 yards and a touchdown. Tarean Folston ran for 134 yards and a touchdown for Notre Dame.
"We know we're a good team, which is the crazy part about it," sophomore cornerback Cole Luke said. "We just have to play to our ability really. Eliminate mistakes, eliminate big plays and just play like we did in the beginning of the season. I feel like it's not that hard."
But it seems that way. Like Notre Dame's overtime heartbreaker last week against Northwestern, this loss was equal parts baffling and explainable. It was baffling because Notre Dame had trouble with one of the simplest exercises in football again -- a hold on a field goal -- with Kelly saying the hold from backup quarterback Malik Zaire on Brindza's kick "did not appear to be handled cleanly."
It was explainable when you look at the MASH unit the defense has become. As Notre Dame wandered off the field, linebacker Schmidt (ankle) was on crutches, defensive lineman Sheldon Day (sprained MCL) hobbled with his left leg in a cast, defensive lineman Jarron Jones (foot/ankle) was on crutches and in a walking boot while cornerback Cody Riggs had left the game after re-aggravating a foot injury.
Not to mention cornerback KeiVarae Russell, linebacker Kendall Moore and defensive end Ishaq Williams were watching the game as they serve their academic suspensions. All could be on the field for a Notre Dame defense that has taken its lumps in the last few weeks.
Louisville (8-3) rushed for 229 yards as the Cardinals exploited the youth Notre Dame (7-4) must trot out because of the injuries. The defense has allowed at least 30 points for six straight games, but Kelly said the struggles should not affect the unit's psyche long term.
"If we're getting blown out, embarrassed, yeah, maybe you have a bit of a problem where you have to blow your guys up a little bit," Kelly said. "They know that they easily could win any of the games they've played in.
"A mistake here or there and not executing at the time necessary has been the difference between a win and loss with this team -- razor thin."
After the game, tailback and captain Cam McDaniel addressed a silent locker room.
"He just wanted us to know he loves us," said receiver Will Fuller, who had five catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. "Keep our heads up, we're young and we have two games left (including a bowl) and we really have to win them."
In some ways, the season can't get over fast enough for Notre Dame. Bodies can heal and the freshmen and sophomores on defense can absorb what they are learning now and apply that knowledge next season. Until then, Notre Dame will be staggering to the finish.
"You just keep fighting," Folston said. "You can't be down. This season isn't over."
chine@tribune.com
Twitter @ChristopherHine
