Wickersham Passes LSU to 10-7 Victory Over Irish

SOUTH BEND, Ind. —  Quarterback Jeff Wickersham has been the target of criticism, but nobody could complain about his performance Saturday in leading Louisiana State to a 10-7 victory over Notre Dame.

“It doesn’t matter what others say about me,” said Wickersham, who completed 31 of 42 attempts for 294 yards and set up the winning touchdown by Garry James on a two-yard run with 3:26 left to play.

“As long as I believe in myself and the team believes in me, then I feel I can get the job done.”

Wickersham’s 31 completions were the most in one game against a Notre Dame team.

Notre Dame Coach Gerry Faust, whose five-year contract ends this season with next Saturday’s game at Miami, Fla., was on the hot seat again as the Irish (5-5) suffered their first loss at home this season.

It was the 25th defeat for the Irish in Faust’s five-year reign, the most losses by a Notre Dame coach.

Asked if he thought about this being the last time he would walk off the field at Notre Dame Stadium as coach, Faust replied: “I never thought about that until you brought it up. That’s the truth.”

The victory gave the Tigers a 7-1-1 record and avenged a 30-22 loss to Notre Dame at Baton Rouge last year. LSU is 4-1-1 in the Southeastern Conference and still has a chance to gain a Sugar Bowl bid.

Notre Dame scored on its first possession as Tim Brown went 18 yards on an end-around. And the Irish nursed the lead until James’ fourth-quarter touchdown.

Both teams missed field-goal chances. LSU’s Henry Thomas blocked two attempts by John Carney, who also missed a 52-yarder. Ron Lewis missed two field-goal attempts for LSU before punter Matt DeFrank kicked a 27-yarder on the last play of the first half.

One bright spot for Notre Dame was Allen Pinkett, who rushed 30 times for 103 yards. It was his 23rd 100-yard game, giving him three straight seasons with 1,000 yards.