Sugar Bowl Drama

Okay, so it wasn't the fast start Notre Dame had hoped for in the Sugar Bowl. Still, here we were late in the first half and the Irish were very much in the game, trailing 14-7 and driving.

Forgotten man Darius Walker had become a running factor. The defense was containing LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

But then the Tigers' relentless defense forced quarterback Brady Quinn into throwing an interception. It came a few minutes an apparent LSU interception was over-ruled via instant replay.

The Tigers regained momentum. Russell regained his form.

Yes, the Irish were once again in big trouble, but they got out of it when LSU missed a 31-yard field goal.

So what did Notre Dame do? Simply drive 80 yards for the tying touchdown, capped by Quinn's 10-yard TD pass to Jeff Samardzija. It was set up by some big-time running from Walker, who had 117 yards on 16 carries, plus 30 more yards on receptions.

The Russell connected on a 58-yard bomb to Early Doucet that set up Russell's 5-yard touchdown run and a 21-14 LSU lead.

No matter. Looks like we're heading for a dramatic second half.