Bryan Melvin ran the ball 11-yards and across the Notre Dame endzone to score yet another touchdown for the visiting USC Trojans, en route to a 20-17 victory in South Bend this past weekend. The touchdown put USC up 17-0 at the time and visibly shook the Irish who were left on their heels at halftime.
Notre Dame caught itself in an unlikely position at halftime where coach Randall Crayton was seen asking himself questions before heading into the locker room. Crayton, who's usually not all that animated looked tense when he walked back to the locker room. He had every reason to be. Offensive Coordinator David Kohler had no answers for the USC schemes that were being thrown at him and they let themselves get into a hole.
Junior Ricky Sanders couldn't get the offense moving in the first half – in large part to the three fumbles the Irish put on the ground. In the second half, Sanders was a different story. Sanders would end up throwing for 19/33 and 220 yards for 2 touchdowns.
But where does this loss hang the Irish? Notre Dame drops to #7 in the polls this week and it's something to consider since there are 8 spots available for the playoffs and Notre Dame, with only Eastern Michigan on their schedules, doesn't have a conference title to wow the playoff committee with.
With the Irish grabbing their first loss on the season this past week, players in Eastern Michigan are sitting up a bit more straight because they know the Irish are coming to correct themselves, their perception and most of all keep their playoff hopes alive and well.
I wouldn't want to be an Eastern Michigan athlete this upcoming week.