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Notre Dame only had 10 players on field for final defensive play vs. Ohio State
Notre Dame only had 10 players on the field on Ohio State’s game-winning touchdown on Saturday night.
The Buckeyes scored from 1-yard out with just 1 second left on the clock to win the game, 17-14. However, they got some help from Notre Dame’s defensive alignment.
Here’s a look at Notre Dame’s defense for the final play, which was missing a player:
DC Al Golden only had 10 players on the field during the last play. Unacceptable. pic.twitter.com/6cBEUSfEMC
— Notre Dame Fighting Irish (@Insidetheirish) September 24, 2023
It appears the missing player was a defensive lineman. Here’s a look at Notre Dame’s defensive line for the decisive play:
There’s no way ND wanted to align without a down lineman over the left side of the OL pic.twitter.com/tvBmjWsfmt
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) September 24, 2023
Ohio State took full advantage of Notre Dame’s mistake. DeaMonte Trayanum took the handoff and got just enough ground to get into the end zone.
Here’s the final play:
WHAT A COMEBACK BY OHIO STATE! ? pic.twitter.com/1o3mcXMECM
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 24, 2023
After the game, Marcus Freeman said he noticed Notre Dame’s missing player but there was nothing to be done about the situation. The Fighting Irish didn’t have any timeouts left.
I asked Marcus Freeman why there were only 10 players on the field for Ohio State's game-winning goal line touchdown. He said he noticed it, but it was too late to put a guy out there. Notre Dame didn't have any timeouts left either.
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) September 24, 2023
The loss brings Notre Dame to 4-1 on the year and this mistake sours what was otherwise a great defensive performance by the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame held Ohio State to just 5.6 yards per play on the night.
Ohio State is now 4-0 and has a signature win this season that should help propel the Buckeyes in College Football Playoff conversations.
Ohio State will be idle next week but will face Maryland in Week 6.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.