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Game Thread | Gator Bowl: Notre Dame vs. South Carolina

December 30, 2022
146,700

No. 21 Notre Dame (8-4) vs No. 19 South Carolina (8-4)

TIAA Bank Field | 3:30 p.m. ET | ESPN | Notre Dame -3.5 | O/U: 50

Game Week Articles | Roster| Depth Chart Schedule | 


FINISH

The season opener at Ohio State seems about 10 years ago as the 2022 campaign has been one wild ride. On Friday, Notre Dame will have the chance to finish the year in a strong way with a win over South Carolina, a program that knocked off two top 10 teams to end the season. 

Notre Dame will be without some key names such as Drew Pyne, Michael Mayer and Isaiah Foskey, but the list is much longer for the Gamecocks despite quarterback Spencer Rattler playing in the Gator Bowl. 

Marcus Freeman’s team will have the talent advantage, but as we’ve seen this season, it doesn’t always mean a victory. Notre Dame will need to be locked in and establish a ground game as the Irish failed to do so when they took on USC West to end the regular season. 

The Irish have also excelled in special teams, but Friday will present a tough test as South Carolina has one of the nation’s top special teams units and the Gamecocks have shown they aren’t afraid to call fakes on punt and field goal over the course of the year. 

That said, if Notre Dame comes into TIAA Bank Field focused and ready to go, the Irish should have an enjoyable plane ride back to South Bend. 


Five Players To Watch

QB Tyler Buchner
All eyes will be on Buchner as he gets his first start since week two. How will he look throwing the ball? That's important, but it may be just as important for him to have a day on the ground against a poor South Carolina run defense.

South Carolina WR Juice Wells
One of the best receivers in the SEC this season, South Carolina needs him to have a monster game with so many other skill players opting out. He made big plays in both wings against Tennessee and South Carolina.

Notre Dame DL Rylie Mills
With Jayson Ademilola out, look for Mills to slide in to play 3-tech more often and Notre Dame will need him to have a productive game rushing from the interior.

South Carolina DE Jordan Burch
Two defensive linemen opted out for South Carolina, but Burch is the best one on their team. He's a potential game-wrecker and their best pass rusher.

Notre Dame OL Jarrett Patterson
This game will be decided by the ND O-line. Patterson wanted to play this game and I'm sure going out on a high note after losing to USC was a big reason for that. If the line plays up to the standard they have set for themselves, Notre Dame's rushing attack will be tough to stop.


QUOTES OF THE WEEK

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman:
“The most important thing is winning. That's going to give us the most momentum as we continue to look forward. As I told the players yesterday in our team meeting, our focus is right now. Our focus is finishing this season off right now in the right way. If you continue to focus on the future, think about the future, you're going to lose the opportunity we have in front of us. The future will be taken care of if we finish the season off the right way.” 

Notre Dame running back Logan Diggs:
“We think we’re the best running back room in the country. We go out every week and try to prove that.” 

Notre Dame offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson:
“The way I look at it, I have one more opportunity to play with this group. Despite all the injuries, passing on an opportunity... The injuries come and go, but the memories last forever.

“I really had no thought of opting out or not practicing, anything like that. I wanted to finish this thing off the right way and play my last game as a Notre Dame football player.”

Notre Dame linebacker JD Bertrand:
“I think one of the biggest things was the communication piece. Especially going into a new defense and being able to start in the beginning of the year, come to this point, it's that communication piece, not just among the three of us but also to the guys up front, the guys behind us, be able to make sure we're all working and flowing as one.”


For Your Nerves 

TEAM STATS NOTRE DAME SOUTH CAROLINA
Points Per Game 30.7 31.7
Points Allowed Per Game 21.8 27.5
Total Yards 382.7 381.1
Yards Passing 199.9 257.8
Yards Rushing 182.8 123.3
Yards Allowed 327.1 391.9
Pass Yards Allowed 190.6 199.5
Rush Yards Allowed  136.5 192.4

Notre Dame Fighting Irish 25.5" x 19.5" Notre Dame Stadium Stadium Views Wall Art

Game Thread | Gator Bowl: Notre Dame vs. South Carolina

146,677 Views | 1349 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by MattPaulND
Rwolf101
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I don't know about that catch
Original Bubs
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Immediately picked on Lewis
tonyndnick
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Hell of a catch.
Joe1976
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OUT!!!
Joe
blairkiel
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He's out
tjhaley
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Out
Joe M.
Rwolf101
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The one damn time ESPN doesn't have 3 dozen angles of a play.
lake erie irish
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Al Golden and his defense just aren't good. Change my mind.
AZdoc
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That looks out. Black on white
MattPaulND
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How open was that route even with a lob pass.
Cassin
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That's white paint flying
Auream
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How are you seeing out?
Wiggs4Irish
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No way they overturn that
blairkiel
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You can see the white chalk come up
ndrockland
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You see white getting pulled up
This is the way!
irishfan32489
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He looks OOB. But we know how this goes…
Rwolf101
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Did they film this using a camera from 1923?
TripperHarrison
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Damn. That just sucks.
Joe1976
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BS
Joe
ndsean44
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lake erie irish said:

Al Golden and his defense just aren't good. Change my mind.
Very disappointing performance.

And ironically, missing Foskey isn't the reason why it's bad. Just horrid LB play. Horrid.
section16
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Lewis has become trash
mattfreeman
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Staff
Spencer Rattler connects with Xavier Legette for a 42-yard TD. Hell of a snag by Legette.

South Carolina 31
Notre Dame 24

8:31 | 3Q

5 plays, 67 yards in 1:48
Cassin
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Wow
goldendomer21103
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I hope Clarence Lewis transfers
leofitz
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blairkiel said:

You can see the white chalk come up
I agree, but too close to overturn.
MAS
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He was out
ndsean44
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Yeah, no.

That's not a catch.
AZdoc
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This defense is nauseating. Like zero fun to watch
ndrockland
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That is ****ing bull***** White ****ing chalk flew into air as his foot lifted
This is the way!
Senator#99
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Bull ****
Blueclaw
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Glad there is a flip phone quality camera replay footage.
We are created to be creators.
blairkiel
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Screwed by crappy cameras
jorsr
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where refs from
MAS
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goldendomer21103 said:

I hope Clarence Lewis transfers


He won't play again
BigEastFan69
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Lots of time left…
 
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