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.