Notre Dame football: Did Tyler Buchner do enough to secure starting job?
![Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) sprints past defenders on his way to the end zone for a late first quarter touchdown, The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish took on the University of South Carolina Gamecocks in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl game in Jacksonville, Florida's TIAA Bank Field Friday, December 30, 2022. The first half ended with South Carolina holding a 24 to 17 lead. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]Jki 123022 Bs Gatorbowl 39](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F24725497e65f25950bd29c76e918bbdfa6112f42659487e41e35c2823fb7f402.jpg "Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Tyler Buchner (12) sprints past defenders on his way to the end zone for a late first quarter touchdown, The University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish took on the University of South Carolina Gamecocks in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl game in Jacksonville, Florida's TIAA Bank Field Friday, December 30, 2022. The first half ended with South Carolina holding a 24 to 17 lead. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]Jki 123022 Bs Gatorbowl 39")
Winning MVP of the Gator Bowl won’t win you a ton of attention on a national level, but Tyler Buchner is hoping it earns him some good graces from the Notre Dame football coaching staff.
While he had three interceptions and one that led to the game-tying pick-six in the second half, Buchner played an overall really good game. And this was with him missing over three months of play. Before Friday’s Gator Bowl victory over South Carolina, Buchner hadn’t played in a single game since Sept. 10 against Marshall.
That’s a long time to not play against different jerseys. But he looked good.
Not only did he look good, but he was the reason that Notre Dame was able to sneak past South Carolina in a shootout. He accounted for five (!!) touchdowns against the Gamecocks and was the spark that the offense needed.
But was his performance enough to win the coaching staff over heading into 2023?
Notre Dame football has a big decision to make
We saw Drew Pyne take over for Buchner after his injury and he entered the transfer portal at the end of the season which meant that the latter would be given the keys back to the offense.
Buchner responded with 274 yards and three touchdowns through the air and 61 yards and two scores on the ground. He was what Notre Dame needed, and more. He won the Gator Bowl MVP and gave the coaching staff something to think about this offseason.
Before the game, there had been rumors swirling about Sam Hartman being a top transfer target for the Irish. Marcus Freeman was reportedly interested in the Wake Forest quarterback.
But after Buchner’s performance and seemingly bright future, is it worth risking for a one-year rental?
I don’t think Buchner did enough to sew up the starting quarterback job, but after his Gator Bowl performance, I do believe that it’s his job to lose this offseason. Even if Hartman does transfer in, I think Buchner is QB1 until proven otherwise. He just adds another dimension to the offense with his legs.
Next. Ranking the top 25 head coaches in college football. dark