Quick thoughts: Notre Dame

Bryson Daily crossed paths with Army coach Jeff Monken after finishing his postgame press conference following the Black Knights’ first loss this season to Notre Dame.

Monken, who would speak to the media next, told Daily “You’re a warrior.”

Daily had taken every snap in Army’s 49-14 defeat to the No. 6 Irish, carrying the ball a career-high 39 times. The senior captain netted 139 rushing yards, his eighth straight 100-yard game. Daily’s final carry was a 2-yard touchdown run, his second score, with 14 seconds left.

Army played hard to the final whistle but it wasn’t nearly enough. Notre Dame was the better, more talented team in every aspect Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

Thought the game would be closer and more competitive but the Irish came out focused and ready to play from the jump. 

Knew Army needed to play a perfect game. Control the clock, Keep the Irish’s offense off the field. Play an error and turnover free.

That script was flipped early as Army’s offense were three-and-out on the first its first two drives. Notre Dame scored a touchdown on its first drive, blocked Army’s first punt since 2020 and quickly extended its lead to 14-0.

Army’s defense came into the game allowing three touchdowns or 20 yards or more in its first nine games (one in the last five games). Notre Dame gashed Army for three long touchdowns – a 28-yard touchdown pass from Riley Leonard to Jordan Faison to open the scoring and two one-play touchdown runs from Jeremiyah Love (68 yards, first play of the second half) and Aneyas Williams (58 yards, fourth quarter).

There was much conversation in the press box about Daily, Army’s starting quarterback and offensive leader, still playing in a one-sided game. Notre Dame led 49-7 in the fourth quarter. Monken was asked about the thought of pulling Daily. Here’s his answer.

Senior defensive end ad captain Kyle Lewis led the team onto the field with the Black Flag. Lewis missed his first game of the season. After the postgame press conference, Monken said that Lewis is out for the season with a knee injury. A big blow to Army’s defense.

Nose tackle Kody Harris-Miller appeared to injure his leg in the third quarter and didn’t return. Starting safeties Max DiDomenico and Casey Larkin left the game banged up. Both returned. DiDomenico returned for the start of the second half but came out. Monken said DiDomenico had a knee bruise.

Posted prior to the game that fullback Kanye Udoh would be an offensive player of watch. Thought Udoh would get more of run earlier in the game with Notre Dame keying on Daily. Udoh received his first carry on 3rd-and-12 of Army’s second drive. He finished with 10 carries for 35 yards.

Notre Dame slowed down Daily (3.6 yards per carry), many times with an unblocked weakside linebacker. Army did not have an offensive play of 20 yards or more. Notre Dame shut down Army’s perimeter run game early, holding Tyrell Robinson and Noah Short to a combined eight yards on five carries.

Not a fan of football games at baseball stadium partly due to the aesthetics and potentially the field conditions. Multiple times, Army players lost their footing including Casey Reynolds’ third-down catch just before the chains.

Positives: Army’s first-half, goal-line stand was epic. Looked like cornerback Jaydan Mayes came in from the end to help stop Notre Dame. Thought the stand would have changed game’s momentum but Army went three-and-out on its following possession…Elo Modozie blocked his second career field goal. From the press-box view, it looked like safety Casey Larkin, who scooped up the block, had a chance for big return. Notre Dame’s kicker wasn’t accounted for on the return and Larkin returned the 25 yards.