Freshman Antwon Bailey, who entered the game with 66 yards rushing on 13 carries, started the Orange rally with a 26-yard TD run up the middle with 12:30 left that cut the score to 23-17. Bailey finished with 126 yards rushing.

“He’s not a surprise,” Robinson said. “He’s played a little bit already this season. He had a 29-yard touchdown run against Louisville. He’s a talented young football player, a true freshman and one that I think has a great career ahead of him.”

Notre Dame had a chance to ice the game on the next possession, but a 49-yard field goal attempt by Walker came up short.

The Irish had a chance to stop Syracuse on its final drive, but linebacker Harrison Smith was called for pass interference on third-and-1 from the Notre Dame 39. Bailey ran for 43 yards on six carries during the drive, before Dantley connected with Davis over the middle.

Even before the end, there was some ugliness for Notre Dame.

The Irish players were pelted by snowballs on the sideline for much of the first quarter by fans sitting on the student section. Defensive end Ethan Johnson was struck on the left cheek and several other players also getting hit by snowballs despite three announcement urging fans to stop.

The Irish were booed several times during the game, including Clausen on Notre Dame’s next-to-last possession when third-and-8 the Syracuse 31 he missed a wide open David Grimes.

Weis said the key now is to get the Irish ready and thinking they can win next week’s game at No. 6 USC.

“If you don’t go with that mind-set,” he said, “then you’re just asking for a massacre.”

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