GameCap from Seedy K: Notre Dame

That the National Broadcasting Company used the Peacock name for its foray into the expanding world of streaming is no surprise.

Long ago, when color television was new, fascinating and groundbreaking, the public relations people at Rockefeller Plaza chose a rainbow-colored peacock to announce the arrival of their program into this world.

They didn't quite reach the full Roy G Biv, but they were close.

It was Green Day in South Bend.

Green for Irish.

31-24 Notre Dame.

There was no gold in that peacock's feathers, but the helmets of ND shone as brightly as that dome and all those magnificent statues in the City of Lights.

That first Cardinal TD was worth its weight in gold. They soon fell behind and, frankly, after the first one it seemed like their chase would be hopeless throughout the drizzly afternoon.

* * * * *

During game day, Nick Saban, who had me mistakenly liking – in his case thinking, in mine hoping – that the Cards would win, was asked in the context of the Alabama/Georgia megamatchup: What's most important in terms of preparation?

In addition to line play, he explained that ball losses must be avoided.

Louisville lost due to turnovers.

Literally.

In a figurative sense.

On the field.

On the sidelines.

The Cards botched the kickoff after Notre Dame's game-winning touchdown. But recovered.

Then non-running QB Tyler Shough ran 46 yards virtually untouched after a brilliant play. Until he was touched and dropped the pigskin for the first ticket drawing of the season. ND gave him a birthday present. He dropped it and broke it.

The Irish scored on a 34-yard throw from Riley Leonard and took advantage of another defensive secondary collapse by U of L. A figurative, if not literal, rally.

Then there was a missed Card punt, leading to another giveaway. And ND points this out.

I apologize in advance, I'm supposed to report on everything that happened, but I won't go into detail about the litany of other mistakes, both minor and major, that led to the final result.

Shough's first pick of the year on a Ja'Corey Brooks bobble. Another secondary snafu that allows for a huge green win at a critical moment.

Some really minor timing management bloopers. Slow and late substitutions at key moments. That meant Jeff Brohm converted Dana Kirk and used all of his timeouts long before he could have used them late.

* * * * *

This is all a disgrace. . .

. . . because Shough made some really outstanding throws. Brooks took some nifty snaps. Isaac Brown some powerful forays. Brock Travelstead hit a 56-yard three-pointer late to provide a glimmer of hope.

And we have a feeling for why Caullin Lacy is so praised. The guy is a gamer.

But details got Louisville dirty in a winnable game in South Bend.

The card color of the day: blue.

—CD Kaplan