The 1997 Independence Bowl was a college football postseason bowl rematch between the LSU Tigers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
The Tigers had finished 2nd in the Western Division of the SEC. The Irish went from 1âÂÂ4 early in the season to 7âÂÂ5 with wins over Boston College, LSU and West Virginia. This was the second time they faced LSU in 1997. This was LSU's first Independence Bowl since 1995.
Notre Dame could only muster two field goals in the first half, but they led 6âÂÂ3 at halftime in a game clouded by light rain and blustery, cold temperatures. However Wade Richey and Abram Booty got the Tigers into the lead (on a field goal and touchdown reception, respectively) in the 3rd quarter. Trailing 13âÂÂ6, Notre Dame could only muster one more field goal to narrow the lead as LSU scored twice on Rondell Mealey touchdown runs. Mealey had 34 carries for 222 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Notre Dame defeated LSU 39âÂÂ36 in South Bend late in the 1998 season. LSU finished 1998 4âÂÂ7 and was 2âÂÂ8 in 1999 when coach Gerry DiNardo, an All-American offensive guard at Notre Dame under Ara Parseghian from 1972âÂÂ74, was fired.
LSU wouldn't reach a bowl game again until 2000 under new coach Nick Saban. Davie led the Irish to the 2001 Fiesta Bowl, where they were blown out by Oregon State. He was fired following a 5âÂÂ6 campaign in 2001.
Neither team has returned to this bowl since this game.
The Tigers and Fighting Irish have met in three subsequent bowls; LSU won the 2007 Sugar Bowl and Notre Dame the 2014 Music City Bowl and 2018 Citrus Bowl.