Steve Angeli’s path back to Notre Dame just got a lot steeper.
What once looked like a neat little reunion game for the former Irish quarterback has turned into a much shakier proposition after Syracuse switched starters and watched Amari Odom deliver in a narrow win over UCONN.
Angeli’s move from Notre Dame to Syracuse made sense at the time. He had spent years as a backup under Marcus Freeman, and with Kenny Minchey or CJ Carr expected to land the 2025 job, the door to a full-time role in South Bend was basically closed.
Syracuse, fresh off the huge numbers Kyle McCord put up the year before, looked like the ideal spot for Angeli to finally get his shot. And with Notre Dame and Syracuse set to meet in South Bend in 2025, the idea of Angeli returning there in orange had real juice.
That version of the story never got off the ground. Angeli was injured in the fourth game of his Syracuse career, and that first reunion plan disappeared.
A second chance arrived for 2026, when the teams are scheduled to meet in New York. But now even that setup is in danger of slipping away. Angeli has been benched, and unless he wins the job back, he may not be the quarterback facing Notre Dame on November 28.
His recent play made the move easier to justify. In his last two starts, Angeli managed only 1 touchdown against 5 interceptions in losses to Cal and Pitt. Before Syracuse’s game against UCONN, Brown made the switch and handed the offense to Odom.
Odom did enough to make the decision look right. He completed 27 of 37 passes for 335 yards, threw 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, and helped Syracuse escape with a 42-41 victory.
Afterward, Brown said the main reason for the change was simple: his team "had to win."
Brown also pointed to Odom’s mobility as a key factor.
"Just watching him all week and his legs and seeing what he could with his legs was better than what Steve (Angeli) could do with the legs right now...Steve is healthy and he was cleared and can play, but this kid (Odom) can do this. He can run and just figured could help with the RPOs (run pass options)"
Still, Brown stopped short of locking Odom into the job. On Monday, he said the quarterback spot remains open if practice changes the picture.
"It's important that he continues to work and that it not be a one-hit wonder," Brown said. "Everything is about practice. You never know who's going to be starting...you better practice hard every day."
So the reunion isn’t dead yet. But it’s hanging by a thread, and Angeli now has to fight his way back into the lineup before Notre Dame gets its turn to see him again.
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Notre Dame Offense Faces A New Test With Stanford And Trophy Stakes
After practice this week, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock and several Notre Dame players spent time putting a spotlight on the small details that have helped the Irish keep their offense moving. Jordan Faison talked about the way defenses are spreading their attention, Jonaz Walton pointed to the confidence he picked up from the previous game, and Armel Mukam discussed the give-and-take along the defensive line as the group kept turning its focus toward Stanford.
There is more at stake than just another conference-style tune-up at Notre Dame Stadium. The Irish are looking at the rivalry game as a chance to reclaim the Legend's Trophy, and Denbrocks emphasis on receiver depth suggests the offense is still searching for the kind of balance that can carry over when the pressure rises. Boubacar Traore was among those around the practice field as Notre Dame continued preparing for a matchup that feels bigger than the calendar would suggest. [Read more 🡒]
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Stanford offers that chance, and the matchup points directly at areas where Notre Dame should be able to reset the tone. The Cardinal have struggled to move the ball, especially on the ground, and their offensive line has had real trouble in pass protection, including at right tackle with Kahlil House. For the Irish, Boubacar Traores pressure production and a possible start for Jayden Sanders if Leonard Moore remains in concussion protocol give this one a clear defensive focus, with little margin for another letdown. [Read more 🡒]
Notre Dame's Most Dangerous Offensive Trend Faces A Real Stanford Test
Notre Dames offense has settled into a stretch it can build around, with CJ Carr operating behind a line that has found a dependable anchor in Will Black and a passing game getting real production from Micah Gilbert. The development at left tackle has helped stabilize the left side, Gilberts breakout has given Carr another reliable target, and the running backs have added balance in recent weeks as the Irish prepare for Stanford.
The matchup should still provide a useful measuring stick. Stanford has had trouble in pass coverage and has not held up well against the run, but the Irish will face some individual tests along the way, including Black against edge rusher Omar Staples and Gilbert against cornerback Leroy Bryant. There is also the question of how much resistance linebacker Matt Rose can offer if he is on the field, which could shape whether Notre Dames most dangerous offensive trend keeps rolling or gets dragged into a more ordinary afternoon. [Read more 🡒]