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

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 

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