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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are your Camping World Bowl champions after a 33-9 win over the Iowa State Cyclones. After a ton of talk from the media and fans this week about Notre Dame not being focused or motivated for this game — they proved those theories completely wrong.
The proof that Notre Dame and its best players came to play materialized early in the game. After a fizzling first drive, Notre Dame was forced to punt and then Alohi Gilman made a tremendous strip on the Cyclone returner, and Chase Claypool recovered the fumble. The ensuing drive resulted in a Jonathan Doerer field goal to put the Irish up 3-0.
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On Iowa State’s first drive, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah forced and recovered another fumble, and a short while after, Ian Book (20-28 227 1 TD) found Chase Claypool for a 24 yard touchdown pass and catch to put the Irish up 10-0 early in the game.
It was the start Notre Dame needed, and it was the type of start that allowed Notre Dame to do whatever they wanted offensively while the defense kept Iowa State almost completely in check.
That defensive effort was led by Owusu-Koramoah. Chase Claypool was the player of the game with 7 receptions for 146 yards and a touchdown, but JOK played lights out with 9 tackles, 4 TFL, 3 Sacks, 1 FF and 1 FR. Duse was incredible.
Tommy Rees called a really good game and focused on the run and play-action throughout. Tony Jones Jr. stepped up in the running back group and rushed the ball 10 times for 134 yards and an amazing 84 yard touchdown run.
The win finishes an 11-2 season for Notre Dame with a large portion coming back to South Bend in 2020. We will have much more on One Foot Down about this win, and the season at large in the coming hours, days, and weeks.