Notre Dame vs. Oregon State score, takeaways: Fighting Irish throttle shorthanded Beavers in Sun Bowl

An overmatched Oregon State team failed to reach 200 yards of offense in El Paso

No. 16 Notre Dame capped its 2023 season with a dominant 40-8 win against No. 19 Oregon State in the 90th annual Sun Bowl. Friday's result was rarely in question. The Fighting Irish took a 7-0 lead on their first drive of the game and went to the locker room at the half up 14-0. Oregon State, meanwhile, didn't score until the final six minutes of the fourth quarter. 

By then, Notre Dame had increased its point total to 33. The Irish defense put on a masterclass against a severely shorthanded Beavers squad, holding Oregon State to just 197 total yards, including just 3 yards rushing on 14 attempts. 

Oregon State had just one play in Notre Dame territory in the first half: A Hail Mary attempt that was intercepted by Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison as time expired. It took the Beavers four drives and more than 20 minutes to cross midfield again. 

Irish quarterback Steve Angeli got the first start of his career following Sam Hartman's decision to opt out and made the most of his opportunity. The coaching staff didn't put too much on Angeli's shoulders, but he completed 14 of his 18 pass attempts for 212 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed eight times for 27 yards. 

• Angeli's three passing touchdowns are the most by a Notre Dame quarterback in his first start since 2010 when Tommy Rees matched that mark in a 28-3 win against Utah. 
• Friday's result stands as the largest bowl win in Notre Dame history. The Irish previously won the 1978 Cotton Bowl and the 2008 Hawaii Bowl by 28 points. 

CBS Sports was with you for the entire 2023 Sun Bowl. Read on below for takeaways from the game. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 5:53 pm ET · Will Backus]

Oregon State enters uncertain future on frigid cold streak

Just 18 days ago, Oregon State was 8-2 with a legitimate shot at the Pac-12 Championship Game in what stands as the conference's last year of existence as we know it. Then, the Beavers lost a heartbreaker to Washington in the driving rain, got blown out by top in-state rival Oregon in the regular-season finale and lost promising coach Jonathan Smith to Michigan State just one day later. Oregon State also lost both its starting quarterback (DJ Uiagalelei) and quarterback of the future (Aidan Chiles) to the transfer portal. Now, the Beavers are reeling after a bowl loss that was never even close, facing an uncertain future filled with questions about conference affiliation and the general direction of the program. 

A recent scheduling agreement with the Mountain West provides a temporary solution for Washington State and Oregon State, which were left behind as a nominal "Pac-2" after the latest wave of realignment over the summer.  But the Beavers could have really used at least a strong bowl showing to generate any sort of momentum with everything else out of their control. Now, new coach Trent Bray, who was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2022 before being tabbed as Smith's successor, has his work cut out for him when it comes to righting the ship. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 5:40 pm ET · Will Backus]

Exciting offensive future

Notre Dame lost three of its top wide receivers to the transfer portal in the weeks leading up to the Sun Bowl, yet it should leave its win against Oregon State with plenty of optimism about the future. Players like Jordan Faison --  a walk-on that initially enrolled at Notre Dame to play lacrosse -- and Jayden Thomas saw increased opportunity with all the attrition and more than answered the call.

Faison made an immediate splash, hauling in Angeli's first pass attempt for a gain of 55 yards. He later scored on a 13-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter to put Notre Dame up 24-0. Faison led all receivers with five catches for 115 yards and may have stormed ahead as the favorite to win Notre Dame's starting slot receiver spot in the process.

Thomas opened the game's scoring with an 8-yard touchdown catch to cap off Notre Dame's first offensive drive. He was Angeli's favorite target early on, catching three passes for 48 yards in the first quarter alone. He had just one 11-yard catch over the last three quarters, but he still showed a great ability to find space in the secondary and fight for tough yardage with his 221-pound frame. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 5:29 pm ET · Will Backus]

Angeli improves his stock 

After his breakout bowl performance, Notre Dame quarterback Steve Angeli has a big decision to make. With Sam Hartman out of eligibility, the Irish signed Duke transfer quarterback Riley Leonard, who entered the 2023 season with NFL Draft dreams of his own before injuries kept him sidelined for a good portion of the year. With those lofty goals still alive, Leonard isn't coming to South Bend to ride the pine. 

Angeli looked like a legitimate starting option in the Sun Bowl, though, and now he needs to decide if he wants to take his chances in a potential competition with Leonard, or if he wants to hit the transfer portal to find a more guaranteed situation. Angeli wouldn't lack suitors, especially after the impression he made. A three-star prospect in the Class of 2022, Angeli signed with the Irish over offers from 22 other programs around the nation and has three years of eligibility remaining -- perfect for a school that's looking for something more than a 1-year rental. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 5:03 pm ET · Will Backus]

Oregon State on the board 

It only took almost 24 minutes, but Oregon State is finally on the board. The Beavers did so in impressive fashion, with a beautiful connection between quarterback Ben Gulbranson and wide receiver Jimmy Valsin III. Valsin made a leaping grab in the end zone with a defender draped all over and got one foot in-bounds while securing the ball. While it was a great play, it's too little too late for an Oregon State team that now trails 33-8 with just over six minutes to go. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 4:51 pm ET · Will Backus]

Love leaves a mark 

In addition to quarterback Steve Angeli getting increased opportunity with Sam Hartman out, Notre Dame freshman running back Jeremiyah Love stepped into the Sun Bowl spotlight after Audric Estime opted out. While Love has had a relatively quiet game, he just flashed some of the ability that made him a top-100 prospect and the No. 5 running back out of high school. Angeli hit Love in the flats on second-and-5 from Oregon State's 13-yard line. Love immediately juked one defender out of his shoes, made another one miss and raced past every other player on the field for an impressive touchdown catch. With that, Notre Dame went up 33-0. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 4:47 pm ET · Will Backus]

Nothing going right for Oregon State 

One step forward, two steps back for Oregon State. The Beavers had a chance to at least scrape a drive together after stopping Notre Dame on fourth-and-goal. Unfortunately, that stop meant OSU took over with its back to its own goal post. Predictably, the Beavers tried to run the ball to create some distance from the bowl line. That backfired. Notre Dame's defensive front swarmed into the backfield and stuffed running back Isaiah Newell for a safety. It's a pretty consequential two points, as it increases Notre Dame's lead to 26 and thus four possessions. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 4:42 pm ET · Will Backus]

Beavers still have a pulse

Notre Dame could have just made this game real ugly. The Irish had first-and-goal from Oregon State's 4-yard line but a negative play, a meager gain and an incomplete pass created a fourth-down scenario. Rather than kicking a chip shot field goal, Notre Dame elected to go for it from the 2-yard line and running back Gi'Bran Payne was brought down just short of the goal line. At 24-0, Oregon State still faces a three-score deficit but the Beavers are fighting. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 4:31 pm ET · Will Backus]

End 3Q: No. 16 Notre Dame 24, No. 19 Oregon State 0 

Just sheer dominance from Notre Dame in almost every phase of this Sun Bowl game. Special teams are comparable, but that's because neither team has done anything particularly special on that side of the ball. Otherwise, the Fighting Irish are running away from this one while Oregon State struggles to show any signs of life. 

The Beavers have had the ball seven times on offense. Five of those drives ended in a punt, two culminated in a turnover on downs and another was cut short by an interception on a Hail Mary attempt at the end of the first half. Quarterback Ben Gulbranson is averaging less than 10 yards per attempt, and the Beavers have a whopping 2 yards on just 13 rushing attempts. To compound matters, two of their more legitimate offensive options -- wide receiver Silas Bolden and running back Deshaun Fenwick -- are sidelined with injury. 

Notre Dame will start the fourth quarter with the ball in Oregon State territory after a 14-yard run from Irish QB Steve Angeli to end the third quarter. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 4:24 pm ET · Will Backus]

This one might be over

With over three minutes left to play, it may be a bit too early to proclaim Oregon State's demise but the Beavers have yet to show that they have any chance of scraping out of a now much deeper hole. Notre Dame just added to its lead with a with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Faison, bringing this one to 24-0 Irish with just over 18 total minutes left to play. Stranger things have happened, and Oregon State could still fight back, but the Beavers have crossed into Notre Dame territory just once and have yet to get even remotely close to the red zone. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 4:13 pm ET · Will Backus]

Another drive, another punt 

Oregon State's offense is becoming awfully predictable. Fall behind the chains on first or second down, get set up with a third-and-long and then fail to get anywhere close to the first-down line. OSU is now 0-for-5 on third downs after it went three-and-out on its first possession in the second half -- this right after Notre Dame ballooned its lead to three possessions at 17-0. Four of Oregon State's drives have ended in punts while the other two were cut off by turnovers. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 4:04 pm ET · Will Backus]

Irish pull further ahead

Things could have gone worse for Oregon State to start the second half. Notre Dame looked to be moving the ball with ease, marching all the way to the Beavers' 23-yard line before the drive stalled. Oregon State's defensive line came up big once again, tacking running back Jeremiyah Love on third-and-3 to force a field goal. This time, it stayed true for kicker Spencer Shrader from 44 yards out and Notre Dame's lead grew to 17-0. Oregon State has to get points somehow, someway on its ensuing possession or it could be night-night for the Beavs. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 3:59 pm ET · Will Backus]

Beavs down another key offensive piece 

Oregon State could hardly afford to lose another player given its attrition to opt outs and the transfer portal. So it's a pretty severe blow that shifty wide receiver Silas Bolden is out for the rest of the game, according to the CBS Sports broadcast. Bolden's three catches in the first half led Oregon State. He turned that into 28 yards and looked like one of just a handful of viable offensive options. Now the Beavers will have to make do without him as they try and dig out of a two-score hole. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 3:53 pm ET · Will Backus]

Key opening drive coming up

Notre Dame gets the ball to start the second half and the entire game could hinge on this single drive. Any sort of score for the Irish would give them a three-possession lead to work with for the final 30 minutes. With Oregon State's struggles thus far -- particularly on the offensive side of the ball -- that seems insurmountable. The Beavers defense has done its job but it's clear the players started to get tired. Twenty-plus minutes of rest could do some good, but it isn't ideal that Oregon State has to open the third quarter on defense. Time for it to dig in once more to keep this one in reach. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 3:19 pm ET · Will Backus]

Half: No. 16 Notre Dame 14, No. 19 Oregon State 0

Notre Dame took a two-possession lead into halftime courtesy of a 1-yard touchdown run from Jadarian Price with less than 30 seconds left on the second-quarter clock. Notre Dame kept the ball on the ground plenty over the first 30 minutes with 26 total rush attempts for 79 yards and the aforementioned touchdown. All but nine of the Irish's 35 total plays in the first half were credited as a rushing attempt. 

Quarterback Steve Angeli has done a great job when actually called upon -- though Notre Dame clearly didn't put too much on his shoulders -- in his first career start, stepping in for star Sam Hartman, who's preparing for the 2024 NFL Draft. He made a huge splash on his first attempt of the game, hitting wide receiver Jordan Faison deep in stride for a gain of 55 yards to set up the first half's lone touchdown. Angeli finished the first half with seven completions on nine attempts for 121 yards and one touchdown. 

Notre Dame will get the ball to start the second half with a real chance to blow this one open. With how Oregon State's offense has played thus far, a three-possession deficit may be too much to overcome. The Beavers crossed midfield just once in the first half -- after Notre Dame's second touchdown -- and didn't come away with any points to show for it after a holding call negated a pass that would have moved them into field goal range. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 3:21 pm ET · Will Backus]

Notre Dame pads its lead

Notre Dame's offense took a bit of a nap after opening the game with some fireworks, but the Irish regained their footing late in the second half to expand their lead 14-0 with less than 30 seconds to play. UND worked the ball all the way to Oregon State's goal line, thanks to a nifty catch-and-run from Jordan Faison on third-and-3 from the Beavers' 13-yard line, and Jadarian Price did the rest by bowling into the end zone from 1-yard out. To add insult to injury for Oregon State, Notre Dame is set to get the ball to start the second half with a real chance to break things open. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 3:11 pm ET · Will Backus]

Oregon State's failure of a fake

Credit to Oregon State for trying to get anything going when it comes to moving the ball, but the Beavers just made a crucial mistake. Another drive that started with a 10-plus yard gain on the first play stalled around midfield and Oregon State lined up for its fourth punt of the game. Instead, Jesiah Irish took a direct snap on a very ill-fated fake. Notre Dame was all over, tackling Irish well behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of four on fourth-and-6. Notre Dame will take over on OSU's own 44-yard line with just under four minutes left to play. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 3:04 pm ET · Will Backus]

Oregon State defense doing its part

For all of Oregon State's struggles offensively thus far, the defense has been lockdown since Steve Angeli shredded it on Notre Dame's first drive of the game. The Beavers just forced the Irish into a second straight third-and-long situation courtesy of a sack from defensive end Andrew Chatfield. That was Oregon State's second sack of the game, as its defensive front is starting to get some push against a Notre Dame offensive line that's down a handful of its normal starters. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 2:56 pm ET · Will Backus]

Notre Dame not fooled

Oregon State might want to get a bit more creative with its play sequencing. Notre Dame is getting aggressive and blitzing anytime the Irish sense that the Beavers might be lining up for a pass -- and it's working. Notre Dame has one sack that nearly resulted in a turnover and two quarterback hurries in the early-goings, with both hurries coming on crucial third-down situations. The Beavers need something to spark an offensive run because Notre Dame is all over their current looks. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 2:51 pm ET · Will Backus]

Oregon State's defense arrives

Notre Dame's offense has been able to move the ball without much resistance in this game, methodically plodding down the field and gaining chunk plays both on the ground and through the air. But with the Irish knocking on the door of a two-score lead, Oregon State stepped up. Notre Dame faced third-and-5 from OSU's 19 and quarterback Steve Angeli dropped back to pass. He immediately came under pressure, with linebacker Melvin Jordan IV bearing down on him off a blitz and sacking Angeli for a loss of 13 yards. It turns out the sack effectively knocked Notre Dame out of field goal range, as the ensuing 50-yard kick sailed wide left. 

Notre Dame's lead still stands at 7-0, but Oregon State was still able to generate some momentum with a big defensive stand. The offense now has to take that and make something of it. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 2:43 pm ET · Will Backus]

End 1Q: No. 16 Notre Dame 7, No. 19 Oregon State 0

It's been all Notre Dame early in the 2023 Sun Bowl. Oregon State got the ball first with a chance to capture momentum out of the gate, but the Beavers failed to cross midfield in either of their first two possessions. Meanwhile, Notre Dame needed the ball just once to score the game's first touchdown. 

In his first career start, quarterback Steve Angeli hit wide receiver Jordain Faison for a huge 55-yard gain, and then found Jayden Thomas for an 8-yard touchdown just a few plays later. Thomas has had a huge game thus far, stepping up for a desperately shorthanded Irish wide receiver room. He had just two catches in four games entering the Sun Bowl but already has a game-high three catches for 48 yards with the aforementioned touchdown reception. Notre Dame is driving to open the second quarter and will face third-and-short from Oregon State's 28-yard line when play resumes. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 2:37 pm ET · Will Backus]

Notre Dame defense holding strong

So far through two drives, Oregon State has 38 total yards on nine plays with two first downs and not much to show for it. Notably, the Beavers are 0-for-2 on third down with each possession ending in a punt thus far. Oregon State hasn't generated a play longer than nine yards and Notre Dame has done a really good job pinning its ears back in key situations. The Beavers looked to be building some momentum after turning a first-and-20 into a third-and-8, but Notre Dame brought the house and pressure got home, with a defender hitting OSU QB Ben Gulbranson's arm and forcing an incompletion on what could have been a huge play to wide receiver Silas Bolden. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 2:25 pm ET · Will Backus]

Notre Dame makes a splash 

Oregon State gained 12 yards on its first offensive play but failed to do anything from there, as its first drive of the game resulted in a 56-yard punt downed at Notre Dame's 4-yard line. Turns out a long field wasn't a problem for a depleted Irish offense. Notre Dame eased into the game with a few plus-yardage runs before deciding to turn first-time starting quarterback Steve Angeli lose. 

Boy did he reward the coaching staff for their confidence. On first down from Notre Dame's 15-yard line, Angeli launched a deep ball to wide receiver Jordan Faison for a gain of 55 yards. The Irish parlayed that into an eventual 8-yard touchdown connection between Angeli and Jayden Thomas on third-and-goal. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 2:15 pm ET · Will Backus]

Oregon State set to get things started

Oregon State will get the ball first in the 90th annual Sun Bowl after Notre Dame won the opening toss and deferred to the second half. Oregon State is without multiple stars on the offensive, but starting quarterback Ben Gulbranson, who spent most of the year No. 3 on the depth chart, did start in Oregon State's Las Vegas Bowl win against Florida last season so he has some postseason experience. 

[Dec 29, 2023 at 1:30 pm ET · Dean Straka]

Notre Dame will make do without offensive star 

Notre Dame running back Audric Estime has declared for the 2024 NFL Draft and will not participate in the team's upcoming matchup with Oregon State in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl, he announced earlier in December. Estime ended the regular season as the leading rusher for the Fighting Irish, starting all 12 games en route to 1,314 yards and 18 touchdowns. Estime also caught 17 passes on the season for a total of 142 yards.  

The offense doesn't have a comparable rusher available against Oregon State in terms of production. Estime rushed for nearly 1,000 more yards than the Irish's second-leading rusher, Jeremiyah Love, who had 346 yards. Estime's decision to skip the bowl game should provide valuable reps for Love, a freshman, as he tracks to take on a much larger role for Notre Dame in 2024.   

2024 NFL Draft: Notre Dame RB Audric Estime declares, adds to team's growing list of opt outs for Sun Bowl

Dean Straka

[Dec 29, 2023 at 1:00 pm ET · Will Backus]

Read up on Oregon State's coach of the future

Kefense Hynson may be leading the Beavers for the Sun Bowl, but defensive coordinator Trent Bray will take over as head coach from there. Bray, a former linebacker at Oregon State, was tabbed as Jonathan Smith's successor when Smith left for Michigan State shortly after the regular season's end. Oregon State ranks No. 35 nationally in total defense and No. 14 in rushing defense, and finished top-25 in both total defense and scoring defense during its 10-win 2022 season -- Bray's first as defensive coordinator. 

Oregon State names Trent Bray coach: Beavers elevate defensive coordinator to replace Jonathan Smith

David Cobb

[Dec 29, 2023 at 12:45 pm ET · Will Backus]

Oregon State's Martinez not expected to play

Although he was cleared by Oregon State athletic director Scott Barnes, star running back Damien Martinez is not expected to play in the Sun Bowl. Martinez has not practiced with the team and interim coach Kefense Hynson told reporters in December that Martinez suiting up on Friday was unlikely. Martinez was arrested in November on suspicion of driving under the influence of intoxicants. He was initially suspended but the Benton County district attorney chose not to file any charges. 

Oregon State reinstates Damien Martinez after suspension, clearing star RB for Sun Bowl return

Cameron Salerno

[Dec 29, 2023 at 12:15 pm ET · Will Backus]

Oregon State not just missing Uiagalelei 

Former Oregon State quarterback Aidan Chiles will transfer to Michigan State. The No. 1 quarterback and No. 2 overall player in the 247Sports transfer rankings will join former coach Jonathan Smith in East Lansing, Michigan. 

Chiles threw for 309 yards, rushed for 79 and scored seven total touchdowns while serving as the primary backup to DJ Uiagalelei in 2023. He played in nine of Oregon State's 11 games and was inserted into the lineup with the first team multiple times as Smith looked to get his future starter meaningful game reps. 

Aidan Chiles transfers to Michigan State: No. 1 QB in portal following coach Jonathan Smith to Spartans

Barrett Sallee

[Dec 29, 2023 at 11:40 am ET · Will Backus]

More on Hartman's decision 

Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman's decision to opt out brings an end to a college career which spanned the course of six seasons. Hartman spent five years at Wake Forest before transferring to Notre Dame for his final season of eligibility in 2023. Hartman finished his lone season with the Fighting Irish passing for 2,689 yards and 24 touchdowns with eight interceptions, while also rushing for 123 yards and three touchdowns. 

Between both stops, Hartman finishes his NCAA career passing for 15,656 yards and 134 touchdowns against 49 interceptions, plus 979 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground. 

Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman opts out of Sun Bowl vs. Oregon State to begin prep for 2024 NFL Draft

Dean Straka

[Dec 29, 2023 at 11:05 am ET · David Cobb]

Betting guide 

The Fighting Irish are seeking win No. 10 and Oregon State is looking to make a final statement before it is relegated to a place outside the sport's power structure next season. Both teams are using backup quarterbacks and have interim play-callers for this game. Thus, the defenses should be licking their chops and motivated to dominate. It would be a surprise if either offense surpassed 400 yards given the personnel available.  Pick: Under 41.5

Notre Dame vs. Oregon State live stream, watch online, TV channel, prediction, pick, Sun Bowl odds, spread

David Cobb