Notre Dame fell into a 31-7 hole midway through the third quarter and lost to Ohio State by 34-23 despite a gallant fourth quarter rally. The Buckeyes scored on three long marches during the first half and were simply unstoppable. Leading 21-7 at intermission, they opened the third quarter with yet another dominant scoring drive. When the Irish gambled and failed on fourth down moments later, OSU added a field goal to make it 31-7. As Notre Dame’s season approached the abyss, the fight returned to the Fighting Irish.

Riley Leonard and Jaden Greathouse connected for two touchdowns passes while the defense found its footing. A two-point conversion with each score closed the gap to 31-23 with 4:15 left in the game. Will Howard and the Buckeyes made sure Notre Dame would get no closer, though. Howard hit Jeremiah Smith on a long third down pass to extinguish the Irish championship dreams. Jayden Fielding added a game clinching field goal with 26 seconds left for the final margin.

The evening started well for the Irish as they took the opening kickoff and moved downfield. Leonard’s running ability carried them on an 18-play scoring march that consumed nearly ten minutes. Ohio State responded with a tying touchdown and Notre Dame’s offense began to sputter. Penalties and other mistakes forced Irish punts while the Buckeyes were having their way with the Irish defense. Howard hit his first 13 passes and OSU closed the first half with a 21-7 advantage.

As the third quarter got underway, Quinshon Judkins broke through the Irish defense for a 70-yard run to set up another score. Linebacker Drayk Bowen got caught up in traffic and failed to seal the cutback lane. Judkins sailed through the hole before Leonard Moore caught him at the Irish four.

Notre Dame got the ball and continued to misfire on the ensuing series. Faced with a fourth and two trailing by 28-7, Coach Marcus Freeman rolled the dice. A pass by Steve Angeli from punt formation fell harmlessly to the turf. OSU took over in Irish territory and cashed in the opportunity with a field goal.

Leonard resurrected the offense on the next series. Tight end Mitch Evans drew a key pass interference penalty to get across midfield. A few plays later, Leonard hit Jaden Greathouse in the flat at the Buckeye 29. Greathouse made a nice spin move and burst into the end zone. Jeremiyah Love caught a pass for a two-point conversion and the Irish trailed by 31-15.

Finally, the Notre Dame defense rose up to make a play. The Buckeyes were driving once again as Howard hit Emeka Egbuka on the first play of the fourth quarter. Egbuka reached the Irish 21 before Bowen knocked the ball out of his hands. Notre Dame recovered the fumble and the Irish offense returned to the field.

Leonard found Greathouse for 30 yards on third down to begin the next series. Two holding penalties on Ohio State and another pair of short tosses to Greathouse followed. Suddenly, the Irish had a first down on the Buckeye eight. OSUs vaunted red zone defense rose up and stopped any further advance. Freeman sent Mitch Jeter onto the field to attempt a 27-yard field goal. Jeter’s try from a sharp angle clanged off the far upright and the Irish came up empty.

Notre Dame refused to quit, however, and the defense forced the first Buckeye punt of the night. A long completion from Leonard to Evans moved the Irish to the OSU 31. Facing a third and nine on the next series, Leonard lofted a deep pass to Greathouse. With a defender hanging all over him, Greathouse caught the ball with one hand in the end zone. Another successful two-point conversion followed. Jordan Faison took a pitch from Leonard and found Beaux Collins alone in the end zone. Notre Dame now trailed by only 31-23 but Howard and Smith combined to preclude another opportunity.

There is no denying Ohio State’s dominance in this game despite the more respectable final score. They rushed for 214 yards to only 53 by the Irish and won total yardage by 445-308. Injuries and lack of elite size up front finally caught up to the defense. Although this group overcame adversity all season, OSU spread them out and found favorable matchups to exploit. Notre Dame needed to pressure Howard and were unable to do so. The game-clinching pass to Smith underscored the point as the Irish all-out blitz could not get home.

Let’s review the answers to our pregame questions:

• Which team will establish and maintain a productive rushing attack? As noted, OSU won this battle with ease. Love and Jadarian Price managed only 16 yards on seven carries.
• Can Notre Dame find ways to harass Howard in the pocket? Only once, where RJ Oben was flagged for a late hit.
• Which coaching staff will seize early momentum with innovation and surprise? Notre Dame had a strong opening drive but OSU’s Chip Kelly kept the Irish defense off balance most of the night.
• Will Notre Dame’s special teams have a positive impact on the outcome? No. The failed fake punt cost them three points and Jeter’s miss doubled that negative.
• Which team will commit costly penalties that alter the outcome of drives? Both. The Irish offense stumbled immediately after their first scoring drive. Buckeye defensive penalties in the second half helped Notre Dame get back in the game.
• Can the disciplined Irish secondary keep the elite  Buckeye receivers in check? Not very well. Howard always seemed to have someone open and had plenty of time to find them.
• Which team will win the turnover and fourth down battle? Ohio State had the only turnover but the Irish gambled and lost on a critical fourth down.
• Will Notre Dame continue to thrive in the middle eight minutes of the game? OSU won this sequence by a 14-0 margin, which was more than enough to win the game.

It is obvious the Irish need to get bigger, stronger and healthier next season. With help already coming from the transfer portal, the pieces are in place for another playoff opportunity. Although Leonard’s toughness and passion will be missed, one of the current homegrown quarterbacks should win the job. The offense will be fine in that regard. Love and others will return at tailback while Greathouse and Faison lead the wide receivers. Linemen such as Charles Jagusah and Guerby Lambert will continue to develop.

On defense, the linebacking corps will miss Jack Kiser but otherwise remain intact. One can be excited about the impact Kingstonn ViliamuAsa will have in 2025. Bryce Young, Josh Burnham, and the return of ends Boubacar Traore and Jordan Botelho form a quality nucleus. The interior spots have been partially addressed in the portal and Gabe Rubio will be back as well. Xavier Watts and Benjamin Morrison exit the secondary but several young players and a transfer from Alabama will step in.

Most importantly, Coach Freeman is not going anywhere. He may lose Al Golden but that is not certain as of now. Mike Denbrock will have more tools to work with next season behind a stronger and healthier line. We will see if he can demonstrate success and escape much of the criticism he endured this season.

As the hurt fades from this painful finale, Irish fans will remember the sweet victories in this playoff run. All of us should embrace optimism going forward. The program is in a better place than it has been in 30 years. We can be proud of our players and coaches who represent us with class and dignity. They will continue to be afforded the resources they need to remain competitive for future championships. I look forward to sharing those moments with all of you.