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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (10-2) used a collection of big plays and takeaways to defeat the Iowa State Cyclones (7-5), 33-9. The Irish forced two early turnovers and had big plays in the both the passing and running game to put away the Cyclones.
Notre Dame senior wide receiver Chase Claypool won the game’s Most Valuable Player award after finishing the game with seven catches for 146 yards, a touchdown and also recorded a fumble recovery.
The Fighting Irish started the game with a quick three and out which got the Cyclones fans on their feet. Their enthusiasm was halted when return-man Tarique Milton muffed the punt, which Claypool recovered. Notre Dame took advantage by kicking a field goal on that series.
On the Cyclones second possession, the Irish forced another turnover ( fumble recovery) but this time Brian Kelly’s team wouldn’t settle for a field goal. Quarterback Ian Book hit Claypool on a 24-yard touchdown pass.
Book finished the game 20 of 28 for 247 yards and a touchdown. He also had seven carries for 30 yards on the ground.
Claypool did most of his damage in the first half totaling four catches for 112 yards. He added a 43-yard catch that setup Notre Dame’s second touchdown of the half. Originally called a touchdown, that catch allowed Claypool to ellipse the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the season.
Running back Jafar Armstrong scored on the next play to put the Irish up 20-3.
After the touchdown, the Cyclones put together their best drive of the game getting the ball down to the Notre Dame three-yard line but a false start penalty and three straight incomplete passes led to a Cyclones second field goal before the end of the half.
After the second half kickoff, Notre Dame senior running back Tony Jones Jr. broke the game open with a Camping World Bowl and Notre Dame bowl game record 84-yard touchdown run to push the lead to 27-6. Jones finished with 11 carries for 130 yards and the touchdown.
Iowa State was led by running back Breece Hall’s 63 yards on 17 carries and quarterback Brock Purdy went 17 of 30 for 222 yards.
