Please call me Notre Doink!
The Fighting Irish had a chance to build momentum in the fourth quarter, cutting back on Ohio State's 31-15 lead, but were stopped in the red zone. Then kicker Mitch Jeter's 27-yard field goal attempt hit the uprights, stopping Notre Dame for good.
It was a pivotal moment for Ireland, who were unable to complete their rally in a 34-23 defeat at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday.
Notre Dame recovered its first turnover of the game with 27 seconds left in the third quarter, a sign that the tide could turn in its favor, but it turned into a drive that ended badly — and this one. The decision will likely be analyzed in-game. The day continued as the Buckeyes controlled the National Championship Game for much of the night.
The Irish continued to play well in the second half, scoring a touchdown late in the third quarter and having another chance in the fourth.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard connected with Jayden Greathouse for a 34-yard pass to stop Ohio State from scoring 31 points, and Leonard threw a pass to Jeremiah Love for a two-point conversion.
Coach Marcus Freeman opted to go for a 3-pointer from the 9-yard line on fourth down with his team leading by 16 points and needing two touchdowns on two two-point conversions. Instead, it remained below two big scores.
After Jeter missed a 30-yard TD, Leonard scored Greathouse again with a two-point conversion to make it 31-23 with 4:15 left.
Jeremiah Smith's 56-yard grab set up Jaden Fielding's 33-yard field goal and Ohio State held on for the win, but the effort proved to be too little, too late.
The Irish were left to rue conceding goals on the field or from the uprights.
