Instant Analysis: Offensive line held its ground for Notre Dame in Sun Bowl

Almost lost amid the precise execution of another brilliant Al Golden defensive game plan and quarterback Steve Angeli’s sparkling starting debut was 16th-ranked Notre Dame’s biggest question mark heading into the 90th Sun Bowl on Friday.

Its makeshift offensive line.

Not that any lasting conclusions for 2024 could be forged regarding a unit that included the third true freshman in school history — Charles Jagusah — starting at left tackle. But there were plenty of positive impressions left behind by the 2023 reserve-heavy group in a 40-8 mauling of 19th-ranked Oregon State in El Paso, Texas.

Yes, the Beavers had opt-outs, but none on a veteran defensive line that had helped Oregon State (8-5) to the best showing in run defense (15th going into bowl season) among the 13 opponents Notre Dame (10-3) faced this season.

And with no All-American Audric Estimé in their backfield — a 1,000-plus yard rusher prepping for the NFL Draft — the Irish outrushed the Beavers, 236-2. The 236 yards match the second-most rushing yardage Notre Dame had amassed all season and only the second time this season the Irish broke the 200-yard mark against a Power 5 team.

The 2 yards rushing allowed by the Irish defense represented the fewest accrued against a Notre Dame defense since 2005 (Stanford, minus-11).

Oregon State, ninth nationally in sacks coming into the game, did record a couple, but that’s actually one fewer than what the Beavers averaged during the regular season.

The Irish dominated the game in virtually every other facet as well, including outgaining the Beavers, 444-197. That’s the third time the nation’s No. 8 team in total defense under defensive coordinator Golden held an opponent to less than 200 yards.

Oregon State converted just one of its nine third-down attempts, and that wasn’t until less than 2 minutes remained in the game and against the Irish reserves, who also gave up the Beavers’ only score.

Whether Angeli is wearing an Irish uniform next season or not, he put up the kind of numbers that suggests he could start for someone and what he had been producing in a reserve role. This time he did it as the focus on an opposing defensive coordinator’s game plan for the first time.

And the sophomore, starting in place of opt-out Sam Hartman, responded with a 15-of-19 showing for 232 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions — translating to a 233.62 pass-efficiency rating — before giving way to freshman Kenny Minchey with 6:17 left in the game.

Former walk-on wide receiver Jordan Faison, a freshman lacrosse player, was named the game’s MVP after catching five passes for 115 yards and a TD. Senior defensive end Jordan Botelho was awarded the Lineman of the Game trophy. Kicker Spencer Shrader garnered the award for Special Teams Player of the Game.

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Notre Dame, No. 15 in the last AP poll before the bowls, has a chance to finish better than where it started, which was 13th in the preseason poll. The Irish finished with 10 wins (or more) for the sixth time in the past seven seasons, with last year’s 9-4 team the outlier.

A finally healthy Jayden Thomas reintroduced himself as a likely significant factor in next season’s passing game, with four catches for 59 yards and a TD for Notre Dame. … Running backs Jadarian Price, Jeremiyah Love and Gi’Bran Payne all looked ready to step into the void left by NFL early entry Audric Estimé at running back. … If All-American safety Xavier Watts returns, this could be the most dominant Irish defense since the 2012 group — and maybe better in some aspects.

Again bowl games, especially with so much roster dilution and deletion, are more about impressions than conclusions. But the Irish will head into spring with a short list of urgent concerns.

Notre Dame will start the 2024 season where 2023 ended, in the state of Texas — although it’s 10 ½ hours away by car (678 miles). The Irish will face Texas A&M in College Station on Aug. 31, and quite possibly as a preseason Top 10 team.

NOTRE DAME 40, OREGON STATE 8: Box Score

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