Syracuse couldn't save Greg Robinson's coaching job, but the Orange did nothing to help the job security of Notre Dame's Charlie Weis either, after pulling a 24-23 upset Saturday over the Fighting Irish.
"To do that on this type of stage on national TV, it's just a dream come true," said Syracuse quarterback Cameron Dantley, who threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Donte Davis with 42 seconds remaining.
Dantley's dream became a nightmare for Notre Dame (6-5), which faces USC next week. The loss to the Orange (3-8), a 19 1/2 -point underdog that has compiled a 10-36 record under Robinson, ranked among the worst in the program's history. In 1950, Notre Dame fell to a 2-7 Purdue team. In 1971, Missouri defeated the Fighting Irish a week after its 62-0 loss to Nebraska dropped its record to 1-10.
The defeat left Weis with a 28-20 mark in four seasons. Bob Davie and Tyrone Willingham finished with the same .583 winning percentage after Notre Dame fired them in 2001 and 2004, respectively.
But Weis, who is in the fourth year of a 10-year contract, said he's not worried about his job.
"I feel sick to my stomach," Weis said. "Everyone at Notre Dame takes these losses personally, just like they feel good when they win. But right now I feel absolutely miserable for the seniors."
Those seniors were pelted by snowballs at their last home game. After defensive tackle Pat Kuntz was hit with a snowball, he stood up and appeared to challenge the thrower down to the field.
"To throw snowballs at their own team, I didn't think that was a smart thing to do," Kuntz said.
Smart players
Florida State safety Myron Rolle earned a Rhodes Scholarship with his interview in Birmingham, Ala., Saturday morning, then boarded a private plane and joined the team late in the first half. When he entered the game, the Seminoles had secured a three-touchdown lead on the way to a 37-3 win.
If Boston College beats Maryland next week, the Seminoles will win the division and play in the ACC championship game. If Maryland beats Boston College, the Seminoles will capture the division title.
"When we found out that he won a Rhodes Scholarship, it was like we got one win already," Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden said.
"I've learned so much just by going through the process of application and interviews," Rolle said. "I am a better person for it."
