Irish Fight Their Way Back Against the Gamecocks Late, 45-38 Final in a Gator Bowl Classic

JACKSONVILLE, FL - Friday's Gator Bowl game against the Gamecocks seemed to look like another shaky performance by the Irish, resembling their record of 8-4 record heading into the game.

The South Carolina's offense came out flying in the first quarter, dishing out a 21-7 bid starting with a 75 yard drive led by Spencer Rattler completing a 13 yard dime to receiver Xavier Legette for six. The Irish wasted no time in answering, with quarterback Tyler Buchner cementing a 50 yard drive with a 15 yard touchdown to make it even 7-7.

Again, the Gamecocks made quick work of the Irish defense putting up another score with a 23 yard score with a receiver Hunter Rodgers and backup quarterback, Kai Kroeger, connection. When the Irish took the field they were aiming to try and tie the game heading into the second quarter, but defensive back DQ Smith had other plans, with an impressive 47 yard pick-six to end South Carolina's dominant start.

In the second quarter, the Irish were on a slow climb back, with a field goal by kicker Blake Groupe and an explosive one play drive with Tyler Buchner completing a 75 yard deep pass to running-back Logan Diggs to give momentum to the Irish heading into half.

The beginning of the third couldn't have been a better answer to Logan Diggs' late second quarter heroics, with another rushing touchdown by Buchner. The Gamecocks weren't going to be rattled (no pun intended,) with another Legette/Rattler connection to separate the score another six. Then, the Gamecocks experienced some déjà vu with another one play drive with Buchner completing a deep pass to receiver Braden Lenzy to tie up the score 31-31.

The Irish forced a turnover on downs to begin the fourth, giving the chance for Diggs to score a 39 yard rushing touchdown to bring the Irish up 38-31. Then again, the Irish forced another turnover on downs, but like DQ Smith did in the first quarter, defensive back O'Donnell Future returned a 100 yard interception for a touchdown to suck the air out of the Irish faithful watching in South Bend.

The game was tied 38-38, the Irish had the ball on the 20 yard line, and it only took 12 plays and a 16 yard pass to receiver Michael Evans to seal the game with 1:38 left. The Irish held their 45-38 lead, and with a little late game heroics by Buchner, not letting his poor outing in the pass game get to him, the Irish now stand with a 9-5 record after a bowl game for the ages. "Buchner played a "helluva" game. He really put our team on his shoulders and carried us to victory." Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame head coach said.

The Gamecocks seemed to have been in the game the whole way, up until the end. "We had a lot of guys out, but we've got to be able to adjust to the situation. And we didn't do that well enough tonight. We played hard, but didn't play smart enough." Shane Beamer, South Carolina head coach said.

The Irish end the season with a 9-5 record and plan to build off this Gator Bowl success heading into next year.

Roll Irish.