Notre Dame Crushes Syracuse 70-7 in Record-Breaking Senior Day Domination
On November 22, 2025, Notre Dame Fighting Irish didn’t just win—they erased Syracuse Orange from the scoreboard. In front of a roaring, sold-out crowd of 77,622 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, the #9 Irish unleashed a 70-7 annihilation that will echo through college football history. It wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. And for Syracuse, it was their most humiliating defeat since 1891—when they lost 75-0 to Union College. This wasn’t a fluke. It was a reckoning.
Defense and Special Teams Set the Tone Before Offense Even Touched the Ball
Notre Dame’s offense didn’t take a single snap until 7:08 in the first quarter. By then, they were already up 21-0. How? Because their defense and special teams turned the game into a horror show. Jalen Stroman intercepted Syracuse quarterback Filardi on the opening drive and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown. Three minutes later, a blocked punt was scooped up by Leonard Moore, who sprinted 22 yards for another score. Then, on the next Syracuse possession, Moore picked off Filardi again—this time returning it 41 yards for his second touchdown of the game. Three non-offensive scores. In under eight minutes. The crowd was still finding their seats.
Jeremiyah Love Turns Heisman Hype Into Reality
When the Irish offense finally got the ball, Jeremiyah Love didn’t waste time. On the second play of the drive, he burst through the line for a 45-yard touchdown. Five plays later, Jadarian Price ripped off a 58-yard scamper. By halftime, Love had 171 rushing yards on just eight carries and three touchdowns. He wasn’t just running—he was dancing. After his third TD, a 68-yard burst early in the third quarter, he struck a Heisman pose in the end zone. It wasn’t arrogance. It was inevitability. Love tied the school record for total touchdowns in a season (20), last set by Jerome Bettis in 1991. He didn’t just carry the ball—he carried the entire offense on his back.
A Program in Transition: Syracuse’s Painful Reality
Syracuse’s offense? A ghost. Their first two possessions: three plays, six total yards. Their third: three plays, minus-nine yards. Quarterback Filardi, under constant pressure, finished 8-of-21 for 68 yards with three interceptions and a fumble. Running back Davion Kerr, who returned the opening kickoff to the 41-yard line, was held to just 12 yards on five carries. The Orange managed only 114 total yards. Their lone touchdown came on a six-yard scramble by Filardi with 12 seconds left—barely enough to prevent a shutout. Coach Fran Brown didn’t make excuses. "That’s part of the game for us right now," he said. "That’s where we are in our building of our program." And honestly? That’s the most honest thing said all season.
Records Shattered, Playoff Dreams Alive
Notre Dame’s 70 points weren’t just a number—they were history. It surpassed the previous modern-era record of 69 points set against Georgia Tech in 1977. Their 35-point first quarter was the most since at least 1943. The 49-point first half? The highest since World War II. Total rushing yards? 329. Three defensive touchdowns. One blocked punt return. The Irish defense held Syracuse to 1.8 yards per play. And with this win, Notre Dame extended their winning streak to nine straight games after an 0-2 start. That’s the kind of turnaround that gets noticed by the College Football Playoff committee. They’re now one win away from a return trip to the postseason’s biggest stage.
What’s Next? Final Showdowns on the Horizon
Notre Dame’s final regular-season game is Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Stanford. A win there—especially with this kind of momentum—could lock them into the playoff. Meanwhile, Syracuse heads home to the JMA Wireless Dome for their finale against Boston College on the same day at 3:00 PM ET, broadcast on The CW. For the Orange, it’s about pride. For the Irish, it’s about legacy.
Senior Day Legacy: A Streak That Won’t Be Forgotten
Since 2018, Notre Dame’s Senior Day games have been brutal. They’ve outscored opponents 276-69 in those contests—averaging 47-8. Saturday’s performance? The most dominant yet. Twenty-two seniors walked off the field with a standing ovation. They didn’t just win. They etched their names into the program’s lore.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this game compare to other historic Notre Dame blowouts?
Notre Dame’s 70-point outburst is their highest since a 73-0 win over Haskell in 1932. It surpasses their previous modern-era record of 69 points against Georgia Tech in 1977. Only three times in program history have they scored 70+ points, and this is the first since 1943 to do so with such a lopsided defensive performance. The 21 points scored before the offense even touched the ball is also unprecedented in the modern era.
Why is Jeremiyah Love’s performance so significant for the Heisman race?
Love’s 171 yards and three touchdowns on just eight carries—along with his 20 total touchdowns this season—tie him for the most in a single season in Notre Dame history. His efficiency (21.4 yards per carry) and big-play ability make him a rare dual-threat force. With the Irish likely heading to the playoff, Love’s final two games could cement him as a top-three Heisman finalist, especially if he continues to dominate like this.
What does this loss mean for Syracuse’s rebuilding efforts?
Syracuse’s 3-8 record and this historic defeat underscore how far they are from competing in the ACC. Coach Fran Brown’s rebuilding project has shown flashes, but the gap between elite programs and developing ones remains vast. The Orange have lost seven straight, and their offense ranked 125th nationally in yards per game. This loss won’t derail their progress, but it highlights how much work remains—especially in offensive line play and quarterback consistency.
Could Notre Dame make the College Football Playoff with this win?
Absolutely. With a 9-2 record and a nine-game winning streak, Notre Dame has moved into the top 10 of the CFP rankings. A win at Stanford would likely push them into the top four, especially if other contenders stumble. Their schedule strength, dominant defense, and explosive offense make them a credible contender. The committee values momentum—and right now, no team has more than the Irish.
How rare is it for a team to score 21 points before its offense plays?
Extremely rare. Since 1943, only two FBS teams have scored 21 or more points on non-offensive scores before their offense ever touched the ball: Notre Dame in 2025 and Texas A&M in 1988. The combination of two pick-sixes and a blocked punt return is nearly impossible to replicate. It speaks to the discipline of Notre Dame’s special teams and the breakdowns in Syracuse’s offensive execution.
What’s the historical significance of Syracuse’s 70-7 loss?
It’s their worst defeat since 1891, when they lost 75-0 to Union College—a game played under completely different rules, with 12 players per side and no forward pass. In the modern era (post-1940), this is the most lopsided loss in Syracuse football history. For a program that once competed for national titles, it’s a sobering reminder of how far they’ve fallen—and how much they need to rebuild.
