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Here’s what to understand about the 90th Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: Friday’s game between No. 16 Notre Dame and No. 19 Oregon State features two rosters full of players who want to be in El Paso.
Those who didn’t are gone by now, preparing for the draft or a new school in the transfer portal. The Beavers and Fighting Irish probably wouldn’t have top 20 rankings if the players they are starting on Friday had been starting all year, they are loaded with backups at the most key positions.
Notre Dame and Oregon State are starting their future nine months early, and to the players who charge out of the locker rooms for the noon kickoff, this game is their stage.
For both teams this is a chance to finish the year in the top 15. For Notre Dame it’s a chance for 10 wins. For Oregon State it’s a chance to go out a winner in what could be one of the last Pac-12 games ever played.
Notre Dame’s Steve Angeli throws a pass during practice at the SAC on Dec. 26, 2023, as they prepare for the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl against Oregon State.
More: What to know about the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl: Tickets, parking, bowl game matchup
That will all be decided by a number of players getting their first opportunity on a big stage. The Sun Bowl is their launch point.
“Grasp this opportunity,” Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said. “There are guys this is going to be their first time starting for Notre Dame. There’s also guys this is their last time playing for Notre Dame.
“Every single person who is going to have an opportunity, has a different opportunity in front of them, but grasp yours. If you’re a first-time starter like Charles Jagusah our left tackle, go show you can be the future left tackle of this program, that’s why you’re out there. We have a strong belief in him.”
There is the theme of this year’s Sun Bowl.
“There’s two ways you can look at…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/hero-emerge-no-16-notre-120440230.html
Author : The El Paso Times
Publish date : 2023-12-29 12:04:40
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