Last night’s 17-14 loss to Ohio State was a gut punch for Notre Dame. With three seconds left on the clock and the Buckeyes facing a second-and-goal situation from the one-yard line, DeaMonte “Chip” Trayanum crashed into the end zone to secure the Ohio State victory.
On a night in South Bend, with the historic green uniform and a chance to make a statement that you belong with the elite, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish let down their fans.
It was a big disappointment. Starting QB Sam Hartman transferred for a chance to play and win in a game of this magnitude. This was a chance for Head Coach Marcus Freeman to make his mark with the storied program.
Freeman is in year 2 of his coaching tenure and I still believe in him, but last night’s game is one that he has to win in the future. You have to start winning against top 10 teams.
I like Sam Hartman, but he did not come through at home against a really good team. He was 17 of 25 passing for 175 yards and one touchdown. The offense was held to a season low 14 points and the offense couldn’t come up with the big play.
The Notre Dame running backs ran the ball 39 times for 176 yards, which gave the Irish offense a boost, but 14 points at home is not enough and the running attack failed to convert some crucial short yardage situations.
In the end, Notre Dame has themselves to blame. Threw the ball in their crucial possession which allowed Ohio State to save a timeout. The defense dropped a sure interception and allowed a huge pass on 3rd and 19. Finally, having only ten men on the field for Ohio State’s game winning touchdown.
Worst of all, besides losing in disappointing fashion, you have to listen to one of the biggest jackass’s in college football, Ryan Day. Instead of being happy over a big last second victory on the road against a top ten, he decides to focus on former Notre Dame Head Coach Lou Holtz.
I will be happy, if that classless fraud never wins a national championship. I like Ohio State’s program and the players, but have never liked Ryan Day. I don’t care what Holtz said. He’s a very old man just supporting the program he once coached. Grow up and get some class, Ryan Day.
Notre Dame is now 4-1 on the season. They have a matchup against the Duke Blue Devils next weekend, and ESPN’s College GameDay will be in Durham for the matchup for the first time ever. But, for the Fighting Irish last night’s game was a big gut punch.
Photo courtesy of South Bend Tribune
