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Notre Dame’s lack of prior success in BCS, New Year’s 6 bowls is summed up in one amazing stat
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Notre Dame has a 28-14 lead over Oklahoma State at halftime of the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
Jack Coan has had a monster 1st half for the Fighting Irish, going 24-of-33 for 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Two of those touchdown throws have been to Michael Mayer, while Chris Tyree has 5 grabs for 111 yards and a score of his own.
Marcus Freeman’s debut couldn’t be going better as the head coach of the Irish. And if it seems as if it’s been a while since they’ve held a lead in a major bowl game, you’re right.
According to ESPN, Notre Dame has never led at halftime in a BCS or New Year’s 6 bowl. That includes its 2 College Football Playoff semifinal appearances in the 2018 and 2020 seasons: it trailed Clemson 23-3 on Dec. 29, 2018 in the Cotton Bowl before losing 30-3 and faced a 21-7 deficit against Alabama a year ago Saturday in the Rose Bowl game before a 31-14 loss.
Can the Fighting Irish kick off the Freeman era with a win over the Cowboys? So far, things are trending in that direction.
Today is the first time Notre Dame has a lead at the half of a BCS/NY6 game. They had trailed by at least a touchdown at half in all 7 previous appearances including by 14+ in each of the last 4 appearances. pic.twitter.com/pkCWYbEMxr
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 1, 2022
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
