Notre Dame football vs. Oklahoma State Fiesta Bowl: 3 Studs, 3 Duds
By Andrew Hall
The Notre Dame football team blew a historically large lead in the Fiesta Bowl; suffering another New Year’s Six Bowl, 37-35.
The Notre Dame football team shot out to a 28-7 lead in the first half. The coronation of new head coach Marcus Freeman had begun. However, veteran head coach Mike Gundy and his Oklahoma State Cowboys had other ideas. The Cowboys stormed back to defeat the Irish, 37-35.
The Fighting Irish had ample chances to win the game. Drew White and Isaiah Foskey forced fumbles inside the Oklahoma State red zone that kept the Notre Dame football team alive. However, the Irish were unable to capitalize on the forced errors.
The Notre Dame football program enters the off-season with a bitter taste. As Freeman said in his postgame press conference, “the honeymoon is over.” He must now pick up the pieces of the 2021 unit and attempt to build a stronger 2022 team that will face a difficult schedule.
It begins with recruiting back potential NFL Draft departures. Center Jarrett Patterson, wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr., defensive end Isaiah Foskey, and defensive tackle Jayson Ademilola top the list of players Notre Dame needs back in 2022.
It continues with filling out the rest of the staff. The Notre Dame football program still needs an offensive coach, wide receivers coach, defensive coordinator, and special teams coach.
Finally, it ends with figuring out how to manage the staff and in-game situations that led to Notre Dame’s epic collapse against Oklahoma State.
But, before we move to the off-season, here are the studs and duds of the 2022 PlayStation Fiesta Bowl.