Notre Dame tops South Carolina in Gator Bowl with highest score

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Tyler Buchner accounts for five touchdowns to help offset two interceptions returned to TD and number 21 Notre Dame numbered 19 South Carolina 45-38 in the TaxSlayer Bowl wild on Friday.

The highest-scoring game in Gator Bowl history was filled with big plays and memorable moments. But Buchner delivered the knockdown when he found the tight end Mitchell Evans wide open for a 16-yard touchdown on the third and seventh innings with 1:38 remaining.

Buchner, who got his original job back after Drew Pyne entered the transfer window after the regular-season final, throwing 274 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran 61 yards and scored two points.

But his three interceptions almost proved too much to pass.

O’Donnell’s Fortune return one of them 100 yards for a touchdown in the fourth half and DQ Smith return another 47 yards to score in the first game. But Buchner bounced back from both mistakes to claim his first win in three career starts.

Notre Dame (9-4) overcame a 14-point gap and won even though South Carolina scored in two pick six and on special teams. Punter Kai Kroger connected with long snapper Hunter Rogers for one of the weirdest TDs in bowl lore.

Spencer rattler completed 29 of 44 246-yard passes for the Gamecocks (8-5), with one interception and two touchdowns to Xavier Legette.

South Carolina was missing a number of key starts, including running back MarShawn Lloydmulti-function chopper Jaheim belltight ending Austin Stognerdefensive midfielder Zacch Pickenssafety Devonni’s reedback angle Cam Smith and Darius Rush and the receiver Josh Vann and Jalen Brooks.

Notre Dame played without the American tight end Michael Mayeroutstanding edge grinder Isaiah Foskeyback angle Orange Hart and defensive midfielder Jayson Ademiola.

CARRIED AWAY

Notre Dame: The Irishman delivered coach Marcus Freeman’s first win after a long layoff. Notre Dame lost a flop last year to Oklahoma State after appointing Freeman as head coach and losing its opening game of the season at Ohio State.

South Carolina: Special teams are usually the specialty of coach Shane Beamer, but he made some blunders when he made a touchdown pass from snapper to long. Dakereon Joyner was flagged for being blocked at the back in the second half, a call that angered Beamer so much that he drew a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. Those penalties resulted in a 45-yard swing. The Gamecocks were also flagged in the second half for having two players wear the same number on a game of chess and twice for postponing the game.

NEXT

Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish is expected to land in the highly coveted transfer midfielder position Sam Hartmanthree-year starter at Wake Forest, who holds the Atlantic Coast Conference record for touchdowns with 110. He’ll have one year left in qualifying.

South Carolina: The Gamecocks have plenty of holes to fill, none bigger than in the offensive coordinator position after Marcus Satterfield’s departure from Nebraska. All eyes will be on his replacement, former Arkansas head coach Dowell Loggains, during spring practice.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.