Notre Dame wins against Louisiana State University in Citrus Bowl
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Notre Dame Fighting Irish would take on the Louisiana State University Tigers at Orlando's Citrus Bowl.
Both teams came into the game on New Year's Day at 9-3, looking to claim one final win.
Here come the Irish! @NDFootball@CWStadium#CitrusBowlpic.twitter.com/pGFd5zHE7N
— ABC57SaturdayKickoff (@ABC57SatKickoff) January 1, 2018
First Quarter
Scoring was hard to come by early in the game, as neither team was able to get on the scoreboard.
Notre Dame opened with a long pass from Brandon Wimbush to Equanimeous St. Brown along the sidelines, but could not cash in. Later in the quarter, the Irished switched things up, with both trick plays and a short QB switch to Ian Book. Neither worked.
Irish bring some trickery, as Cole Kmet (also a pitcher for the baseball team) throws a pass. Almost picked. Irish punt. #NotreDame
— Matt Randall (@mattrandall_) January 1, 2018
In the end, both teams were forced to punt on each of their first three drives.
End of 1st Quarter #ND 0#LSU 0 pic.twitter.com/ffEIqj2pG0
— ABC57SaturdayKickoff (@ABC57SatKickoff) January 1, 2018
Second Quarter
LSU had the first clear chance to open scoring, driving to the Irish goal line. However, a third-and-goal stop then a couple Tiger mistakes kept the game tied at zeros.
#LSU with a false start on 4th and goal, then misses a FG. Still scoreless in the #CitrusBowl. #NotreDame
— Matt Randall (@mattrandall_) January 1, 2018
Following another stalled Irish drive, LSU again drove into Notre Dame territory. Again, the Tigers missed a field goal.
Before the half, Ian Book led a Notre Dame drive which resulted in the game's first points. Justin Yoon connected on a 46-yard field goal to send the Irish into halftime leading 3-0.
Third Quarter
Despite the positive end to the first half, miscues led to a rough start to the second half.
Notre Dame forced LSU to punt on its first drive, but muffed a punt return when a blocker touched the ball. LSU recovered, and scored on its next opportunity to take a 7-3 lead.
Tigers make #NotreDame pay. Etling finds Derrius Guice on a screen and the RB takes it in for a 20-yd TD. #LSU takes a 7-3 lead in the #CitrusBowl.
— Matt Randall (@mattrandall_) January 1, 2018
Ian Book led the Irish at quarterback in the second half, and led two drives into scoring position. The first ended with a red zone interception. On the next, the Irish were able to pull within a point with Justin Yoon's second field goal of the game, making it 7-6 heading into the
Fourth Quarter
LSU began the fourth quarter with a big drive, scoring on another connection from Danny Etling to Derrius Guice. The Tigers took a 14-6 lead.
However, Ian Book led a scoring drive and answered with a touchdown pass to freshman receiver Michael Young. The Irish then went for two, and Josh Adams scored on a shovel pass to tie the game at 14.
After LSU hit a go-ahead field goal, Notre Dame then answered with a long TD pass from Book to Miles Boykin, taking a 21-17 lead.
The game ended 21-17 with Notre Dame winning.