Boykin makes prophet out of Kelly
ORLANDO, Fla. — Notre Dame receiver Miles Boykin lived up to Brian Kelly’s expectations.
The Fighting Irish’s head coach told the junior during a practice leading up to Monday’s Citrus Bowl game against LSU that Boykin was going to win the MVP trophy.
Boykin made not only one of the top plays of this bowl season but one of the more memorable catches in Notre Dame bowl history. His one-handed grab before racing down the sideline for a 55yard touchdown with 1:28 remaining gave the 14th-ranked Fighting Irish a 21-17 victory over No. 17 LSU.
The victory by Notre Dame (10-3) is its first in a New Year’s Day bowl since the 1994 Cotton Bowl against Texas A&M and snaps a ninegame skid in January postseason games.
“He looked at me like I had two heads. But I felt like he had a chance,” Kelly said about his prediction. “He’s got the ability, if we could get him the football. And Ian got him the football and Miles made a great individual play and, lo and behold, I’ve got the MVP sitting next to me.”
Boykin had only 9 catches for 151 yards and 1 TD coming into the game, but he got his first start after starters Chase Claypool (shoulder injury) and Kevin Stephenson (suspension) were ruled out.
Boykin showed off his wide-catch radius on what proved to be the game-winning play. On first and 10 from the Irish 45, Ian Book lofted a pass up the right sideline that Boykin snagged with his right hand at the LSU 33, eluding corner Donte Jackson. Boykin then broke a tackle attempt by Donte Jackson at the LSU 26 before finding a clear path to the end zone.
“Ian put it in a place where only I could reach it,” said Boykin, who finished with 3 receptions for 102 yards and 1 touchdown. “It was a great pass, and I was just lucky enough to pull it down on one hand. I’ve got pretty big hands.”
LSU Coach Ed Orgeron said Boykin made a great grab, but he lamented his defense’s other struggles on the play.
“We had our best cover guy on him [Jackson], but he’s a big receiver,” he said after the Tigers finished the season 9-4. “We had two guys on him and missed the tackle. That’s what I’m mostly disappointed with.”
Book entered the game in the second quarter after Brandon Wimbush struggled moving the offense. The sophomore was 14 of 19 for 164 yards with 2 touchdowns and an interception.
Book’s first touchdown came early in the fourth quarter. With Notre Dame trailing 14-6, he found Michael Young in the back of the end zone for a 6-yard score. Josh Adams then scored on a twopoint conversion to tie it.
“It was an awesome opportunity, such a surreal moment that last play with Miles,” Book said. “We knew it was going to be a close game. We just had to stay composed and do what we have been doing since January.”
The game lacked drama during the first three quarters. It was scoreless until four seconds remained in the first half when a Justin Yoon 46-yard field goal gave Notre Dame a 3-0 halftime lead.