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Marcus Freeman addresses controversial FG attempt, reflects on tough loss
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish put together a fantastic season, but they came up just 1 game short.
The Fighting Irish ran into the buzzsaw that is Ohio State in the national title game, a team that played its best football of the season at the perfect time. The Buckeyes destroyed Tennessee and Oregon before handling Texas, then outlasted Notre dame Monday night. All things considered; Notre Dame gave the Buckeyes the best fight this postseason.
Following the game, Notre Dame’s head coach took some time to reflect on the loss while laying out his plan for the future.
Freeman also took some time to address the controversial decision to kick a FG down 16 points in the 4th quarter. Facing 4th and goal (around 9 yards out), Freeman opted to take the points, even though the points made a 2-possession game… a 2-possession game. The football Gods rewarded Freeman’s decision with a doinked field goal from 25 yards out.
Despite this, Freeman sticks by his decision.
And technically, it’s not a decision that lost Notre Dame the game. Ultimately, Notre Dame would have had a chance to win on a final drive had that field goal gone through the uprights.
Jeremiah Smith had other plans. The Ohio State WR hauled in a massive reception on 3rd down to extinguish any hope of the Irish getting the ball back late.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.