LSU 27, Notre Dame 9

Backup tailback Rondell Mealey ran for a career-high 222 yards and two touchdowns as Louisiana State avenged a mid-November loss to Notre Dame with a 27-9 victory in the Independence Bowl at Shreveport, Louisiana.

Recap | Game Summary

Notre Dame QB Ron Powlus (61 percent of his throws, 9 TDs, 7 INTs) and LSU TB Kevin Faulk (5.6 yards a run) carry their teams.

The Fighting Irish snuck into a bowl with five straight wins to end the season -- including a one-point win over Hawaii in the season finale. LSU, meanwhile, is looking for some big-time revenge. If not for the loss to the Irish, LSU could be a Top 10 tea m and playing in a bowl that means a lot more than this one.

Notre Dame ranks 83rd in the nation against the run.