South Carolina started strong in Friday’s Gator Bowl, but the Gamecocks ultimately could not hold off Notre Dame, falling 45-38 in Jacksonville to end the 2022 season. The Irish dominated the second half in the boxscore and on the scoreboard.

The highest-scoring Gator Bowl in the game’s history had just about everything for football fans, aside from the South Carolina faithful’s preferred outcome. The Gamecocks provided multiple defensive scores and both teams ran successful special teams trick plays. South Carolina’s second pick-6 of the game went 100 yards, the longest defensive score in Gator Bowl history.

Like many teams this Bowl Season, Shane Beamer’s squad was dealing with notable absences in the Gator Bowl. Depth issues appeared to get to the Gamecocks in the second half. After a 44-yard 1-play scoring drive, Notre Dame went 50 yards or more on each of its next 3 possessions, including 2 touchdowns in the final period of play.

The Gamecock offense also faded in the second half. Notre Dame outgained South Carolina 356-111 in total yards in the second half.

Notre Dame QB Tyler Buchner was the game’s MVP despite 3 interceptions, including the 2 pick-6s. Buchner threw for 274 yards and 3 touchdowns, adding 12 carries for 61 yards and 2 rushing scores. South Carolina QB Spencer Rattler finished 29-of-46 for 246 yards, 2 TD and 1 INT. Gamecocks rushers were held to 65 total yards on 22 carries. Xavier Legette had both of South Carolina’s receiving scores, hauling in 7 passes for 78 yards.

South Carolina got off to an explosive start with a “Beamer Ball” 21-point 1st quarter that included a special teams score and a pick-6. The Gamecocks led 21-7 after the first period, but Notre Dame wasn’t about to roll over.

The Irish outscored the Gamecocks 10-3 in the 2nd quarter, cutting the deficit to 1 score at halftime. In the 3rd quarter, Notre Dame made it a whole new ballgame, tying things up 24-24.

The back-and-forth battle continued. South Carolina retook the lead on the most impressive throw-and-catch play of the game when Rattler found Legette in the end zone for a 42-yard touchdown.

Before the 3rd quarter ended, Notre Dame was able to tie it up. A shanked punt from Kai Kroeger set up the Irish with excellent field position. Notre Dame needed just 1 play for the 44-yard score to tie it up.

In the 4th quarter, it was Notre Dame’s turn to make a big special teams play. The Gamecocks appeared to have the Irish stopped, but Notre Dame stayed on the field with a fake punt on 4th-and-4. The drive ended with a go-ahead TD for Marcus Freeman’s squad.

Things started to look grim for the Gamecocks in the 4th quarter. Notre Dame was moving with ease on the way to extend a 38-31 lead to double digits before O’Donnell Fortune picked off Buchner and went 100 yards with a pick-6 to tie it up 38-38.

Buchner found Mitchell Evans wide open with 1:45 left for the game-winning TD, a 16-yard play on 3rd-and-7. It was Evans’ second score of the game.