Writer - Manuel Deleon
Orlando FL- Though played in the Sunshine State, the 72nd Citrus offered little to no sunlight as Notre Dame defeated LSU inside Camping World Stadium 21 to 17
With both squads entering the contest sporting identical 9-3 records, this game had all the makings of a great one. Solid defense had to be played by both teams as two of the nation’s best running backs were on display.
Josh Adams of Notre Dame and Derrius Guice of LSU we’re both held in check as each defense keyed on the dynamic backs. Both Adams and Guice were held under 100 yards rushing on the day with 52 and 99 yards respectively.
“You know, we fought for every inch. Guice is a heck of a back. Their offensive line is outstanding. But we fought for every inch. And, quite frankly, it became a game of inches down there where we were able to hold them to the field goals. And that was the difference in the game. And it's a mentality that we've developed within our football program.” Said Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly about his defense.
LSU had a chance to take the lead early in the first half but misfired on field goals from 22 and 37 yards.
“Our special teams was lacking, did pretty poorly. And like I say, we just got to finish drives in the end zone.”
Notre Dame had offensive troubles of their own leading coach Kelly to bench starting Quaterback Brandon Wimbush and go with Sophomore Ian Book who gave the Irish new life and a spark missing from the beginning of the game.
LSU head coach Ed Orgeron praised the young quarterback and his efforts on the field.
“I think he made a difference. Obviously, we had a plan for Wimbush. We were going to stop the run. Obviously, he came around and scrambled. You know, he had a couple of zone plays that gave us some problems that were out of pitch. He made some plays. He extended some plays with his feet and he threw on the ball very well. I'll give him some credit.”
The scoring didn’t start until four seconds left in the first half when Fighting Irish kicker Justin Yoon knocked through a 46 yarder to give the Irish the lead heading into the locker room.
Starting the third quarter the Irish defense forced a Tigers punt only to muff the return. LSU’s Blake Ferguson pounced on the loose ball giving LSU a second chance. On the ensuing drive quarterback Danny Etling found Guice on a slant out of the backfield giving the Tigers a 7-3 lead early in the quarter. Looking to keep it close Book led Notre Dame inside the redzone only to throw an interception at the 11 yard line to LSU cornerback Andraez Williams.
After forcing a LSU punt the Fighting Irish would close out the quarter with another Yoon field goal this time from 49 yards out.
Things really cranked up in the fourth as both teams and fan bases came alive in the chilly 50 degree Florida weather.
Starting the fourth quarter on the Notre Dame 36 yardline, Danny Etling led the Tigers on a 12 play 75-yard drive capped by another Guice touchdown reception from 2 yards out. Ian Book would turn around and lead Notre Dame on a 10 play 75 yard touchdown drive finding receiver Michael Young in the end zone knotting the game up at 14 a piece.
The young Irish quarterback showed great poise and leadership. Heading into the fourth quarter his message to his team was pretty simple.
“Just to stay composed.”
“You know, it was a close game. We knew it was going to be a close game. LSU is a great team, but we just had to stay composed and do what we have been doing since January. So the team did a great job at that, and we came out on top.” Said Book
With just over seven minutes remaining in the contest Guice and the Tigers had one more chance to put it in the end zone. Driving all the way to the red zone and milking five minutes off the clock, LSU had to settle for a Jack Gonsoulin field goal, making the score 17-14, after Guice was stuffed at the one yard line.
“You know, we bogged down in the red zone. That's something that we've got to get better, the red zone offense. It looks like I'm going to have to watch the film to find out what's going on. But we just bogged down there, and, you know, it's something we need to get better at.” Said coach Orgeron on his teams red zone performance.
With just two minutes left in the game, Book and the Irish wasted no time silencing the LSU sideline. Dropping back at his own 45 yard line Book lofted a beautiful pass down the sideline intended for receiver Miles Boykin who made an amazing one handed catch and raced 55 yards for the winning score.
“Ian put it in place where only I could reach it. Like I said, it was a great pass and I was just lucky enough to pull it down on one hand. I've got pretty big hands.” Said Boykin on his one handed catch.
Boykin would be named game MVP.
For the first time since 1994 Notre Dame has won a New Years bowl game. Most importantly the Irish reached 10 wins on the year. Though 10 wins is an accomplishment, you come to Notre Dame for one reason and one reason only and that’s to win a National Title.
“Every year our mission is to play for a national championship” said Kelly. “We've built this to continue that process and work towards being one of those four teams that are part of the playoffs.”
Finishing 10-3 the expectations for next season will be elevated for the Fighting Irish.
With both squads entering the contest sporting identical 9-3 records, this game had all the makings of a great one. Solid defense had to be played by both teams as two of the nation’s best running backs were on display.
Josh Adams of Notre Dame and Derrius Guice of LSU we’re both held in check as each defense keyed on the dynamic backs. Both Adams and Guice were held under 100 yards rushing on the day with 52 and 99 yards respectively.
“You know, we fought for every inch. Guice is a heck of a back. Their offensive line is outstanding. But we fought for every inch. And, quite frankly, it became a game of inches down there where we were able to hold them to the field goals. And that was the difference in the game. And it's a mentality that we've developed within our football program.” Said Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly about his defense.
LSU had a chance to take the lead early in the first half but misfired on field goals from 22 and 37 yards.
“Our special teams was lacking, did pretty poorly. And like I say, we just got to finish drives in the end zone.”
Notre Dame had offensive troubles of their own leading coach Kelly to bench starting Quaterback Brandon Wimbush and go with Sophomore Ian Book who gave the Irish new life and a spark missing from the beginning of the game.
LSU head coach Ed Orgeron praised the young quarterback and his efforts on the field.
“I think he made a difference. Obviously, we had a plan for Wimbush. We were going to stop the run. Obviously, he came around and scrambled. You know, he had a couple of zone plays that gave us some problems that were out of pitch. He made some plays. He extended some plays with his feet and he threw on the ball very well. I'll give him some credit.”
The scoring didn’t start until four seconds left in the first half when Fighting Irish kicker Justin Yoon knocked through a 46 yarder to give the Irish the lead heading into the locker room.
Starting the third quarter the Irish defense forced a Tigers punt only to muff the return. LSU’s Blake Ferguson pounced on the loose ball giving LSU a second chance. On the ensuing drive quarterback Danny Etling found Guice on a slant out of the backfield giving the Tigers a 7-3 lead early in the quarter. Looking to keep it close Book led Notre Dame inside the redzone only to throw an interception at the 11 yard line to LSU cornerback Andraez Williams.
After forcing a LSU punt the Fighting Irish would close out the quarter with another Yoon field goal this time from 49 yards out.
Things really cranked up in the fourth as both teams and fan bases came alive in the chilly 50 degree Florida weather.
Starting the fourth quarter on the Notre Dame 36 yardline, Danny Etling led the Tigers on a 12 play 75-yard drive capped by another Guice touchdown reception from 2 yards out. Ian Book would turn around and lead Notre Dame on a 10 play 75 yard touchdown drive finding receiver Michael Young in the end zone knotting the game up at 14 a piece.
The young Irish quarterback showed great poise and leadership. Heading into the fourth quarter his message to his team was pretty simple.
“Just to stay composed.”
“You know, it was a close game. We knew it was going to be a close game. LSU is a great team, but we just had to stay composed and do what we have been doing since January. So the team did a great job at that, and we came out on top.” Said Book
With just over seven minutes remaining in the contest Guice and the Tigers had one more chance to put it in the end zone. Driving all the way to the red zone and milking five minutes off the clock, LSU had to settle for a Jack Gonsoulin field goal, making the score 17-14, after Guice was stuffed at the one yard line.
“You know, we bogged down in the red zone. That's something that we've got to get better, the red zone offense. It looks like I'm going to have to watch the film to find out what's going on. But we just bogged down there, and, you know, it's something we need to get better at.” Said coach Orgeron on his teams red zone performance.
With just two minutes left in the game, Book and the Irish wasted no time silencing the LSU sideline. Dropping back at his own 45 yard line Book lofted a beautiful pass down the sideline intended for receiver Miles Boykin who made an amazing one handed catch and raced 55 yards for the winning score.
“Ian put it in place where only I could reach it. Like I said, it was a great pass and I was just lucky enough to pull it down on one hand. I've got pretty big hands.” Said Boykin on his one handed catch.
Boykin would be named game MVP.
For the first time since 1994 Notre Dame has won a New Years bowl game. Most importantly the Irish reached 10 wins on the year. Though 10 wins is an accomplishment, you come to Notre Dame for one reason and one reason only and that’s to win a National Title.
“Every year our mission is to play for a national championship” said Kelly. “We've built this to continue that process and work towards being one of those four teams that are part of the playoffs.”
Finishing 10-3 the expectations for next season will be elevated for the Fighting Irish.