Notre Dame Football – Citrus Bowl Champs: Defeats LSU 21-17
By Chase Eyrich
The Notre Dame football team came away as Citrus Bowl champs defeating LSU 21-17.
Knowing all eyes would be on Josh Adams, Brandon Wimbush dropped back on the first snap of the game and hit Equanimeous St. Brown for a 35-yard statement. The Irish would continue to try and make a statement going for it on fourth and one. Brian Kelly’s gamble wouldn’t pay out.
While the Irish’s defense held their own, the offense just couldn’t find their stride. A scoreless first quarter showed the frustrations of both teams. At times things began to look chippy as emotions ran high.
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LSU started a drive on the 35-yard line to start off the second quarter. A drive that lasted just over seven minutes, the Tigers marched down to the goal line. But, Notre Dame’s defense showed up once again with a goal-line stand. After a five-yard penalty on fourth and goal from the one, the Tigers would miss the field goal.
The first half seemed to be full of missed opportunities for the Irish. LSU special teams struggled with three fumbles. The Irish were unable to recover any of them.
If there was one thing that kept the Irish in the game in the first half, it was the struggling kicking of LSU. The Tigers missed two field goals in the first half.
Brian Kelly made the change to Ian Book for the last drive of the half. When things looked bleak, Book kept the drive alive with a 21-yard rush on 3rd and 19. Continuing to go down the field with time running out, Book set up Justin Yoon for a field goal.
The struggling offensive first half would end with Notre Dame up 3-0 at halftime.
As the second half started, special teams issues transferred over to the Irish. A turnover on a punt return quickly turned into LSU’s first score of the game to take the lead 7-3.
Book’s production started to slow down as the game went along. Midway through the 3rd quarter Notre Dame was able to get to the 31-yard line. Yoon was set up once again for a long field goal. Keeping the Irish close, Yoon would send it through the uprights for three more.
Notre Dame’s defense was the highlight of the day. Just when it looked like the Irish would have another goal-line stand, LSU went to Derrius Guice in the air to extend their lead 14-6 in the 4th.
All the sudden Notre Dame’s offense looked like they might have found their stride. Facing a 3 and 19 Book kept the drive alive with a dime to Miles Boykin for 28-yards. The Irish finally would find the end zone. Gambling would continue as Notre Dame went for two trying to tie the game. The gambling was worth it, Notre Dame tied the game 14 apiece with 7:49 left to play.
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LSU finally was able to connect on a field gold to regain the lead 17-14 with just over two minutes left to play.
Just like that, the game came down to a two-minute drill for the Irish. With the game on the line Book throw just high and outside of Miles Boykin. Somehow Boykin made the catch of his life and capped it off with a sideline stop-and-go to shake the last defender. Boykin trotted into the end zone for Notre Dames first lead of the game in what would prove to be the game-winning touchdown.
Notre Dame capped off the season as Citrus Bowl champs 21-17, finishing the season 10-3.