Notre Dame elected to receive the opening kickoff in the Camping World Bowl and in the “about time” category Braden Lenzy was back deep returning the kick, something he took back to twenty yard line.
An uninspired opening drive by the Irish meant for a quick punt where Alohi Gilman did what Alohi Gilman likes to do, make an instant impact ripping a ball free and forcing a fumble that senior Chase Claypool recovered in his final game at Notre Dame.
Nice special teams play by Alohi Gilman! #NotreDame turned the fumble recovery into a FG! #CampingWorldBowl pic.twitter.com/WoZuwzGJ3i
— Decaf Metcalf ☕ (@FTBeard11) December 28, 2019
Ian Book would escape pressure on a fourth down and help get Notre Dame into field goal range to take the early 3-0 lead.
On Iowa State’s first offensive series of the day Brock Purdy had the Cyclones driving before rolling to his left and being greeted by Jeremiah Owusu-Karamoah who we can start the 2020 hype machine about.
— Dan O’Meter (@danometer) December 28, 2019
That drive would end with Ian Book finding Chase Claypool who made an outstanding catch in the end zone to make it a 10-0 Notre Dame lead that they finished the first quarter holding.