Until then, Notre Dame (0-1) had followed the exact script Freeman wrote earlier in the week, though it obviously had a different ending than a second loss in two games as Notre Dame’s coach. “There is no moral victory,” he said. “We didn’t execute. … We have to be able to finish when it matters most. That’s ultimately what cost us.” The 36-year-old first-time coach said during the week that he wanted the Irish to get off to a fast start. A 54-yard completion on the first snap of the game fits that tone. The father of six said he wanted Notre Dame to slow the game down to minimize the impact of the Buckeyes’ offense. Holding No. 2 Ohio State (1-0) to just five possessions in the first half and 10 in the game deserved an award for controlling — directing — the game. “We knew we weren’t going to try to outrun them,” Freeman said. “We would have a plan to try to control the ball, run the ball, keep the clock running and limit their offensive possessions.” Sophomore quarterback Tyler Buchner’s first-play completion to sophomore Lorenzo Styles was the only successful play on Notre Dame’s first drive, but the Irish still broke the scoreboard first with a 33-yard field goal by the Arkansas State transfer, Blake Grupe. Buchner’s first career start opened with eight consecutive completions for 128 yards, including an acrobatic, tip-tip-tip-catch from former walk-on Matt Salerno, but then Buchner slumped, finishing 2 of 10 for 49 yards. WHAT FAITH! @Matthews0520#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/zaaPvUDhnu — Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) September 4, 2022 That drive by Salerno’s spark was capped by a 1-yard plunge by sophomore Audric Estime, lined up as a fullback in a traditional I formation. That gave Notre Dame a 10-7 lead that would hold deep into the third quarter before the Buckeyes’ heralded offense finally found its footing. Playing without starter Jaxon Smith-Njigba for most of the game after suffering an apparent leg injury on Ohio State’s second drive, Heisman finalist quarterback CJ Stroud struggled to connect with his remaining downfield targets until he hit Xavier Johnson for a 24-yard touchdown. 3rd and 11 in the final minute of the third quarter. Stroud finished with 223 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-34 passing, enough stats for what would normally be considered a dismal performance for him, relatively speaking. “I’m thinking about him,” Freeman said. “There’s a reason he’s a Heisman Trophy candidate. He is a very good footballer and they have a very good team.” Ireland’s attacking scheme was built around not having to chase too many Stroud scores. When the Buckeyes scored just before the fourth quarter, Notre Dame had to respond to not fall behind by multiple counts. Buchner opened the drive by finding fifth receiver Braden Lenzy for 32 yards, but the Irish trailed from there. “I can’t give the ball back to their offense,” Buchner said. That might as well have been the game. Give #NotreDame credit. Much credit. But at some point, talent wins, and Ohio State is much more talented. The Buckeyes will hold on tonight. But the Irishman might be someone to reckon with this season, after all. — Douglas Farmer (@D_Farmer) September 4, 2022 “We executed until we got into the passing game and [went] three and out,” Freeman said. “We just didn’t finish the way we wanted to.” Then Stroud & Co. piled on, adding a long touchdown drive to not only take the lead but also gobble up most of the fourth quarter. That seven-minute possession spoiled Freeman’s script, but unlike a similar second-half letdown on New Year’s Day, Notre Dame didn’t have to wait nine months to write a better ending. “We have a lot to learn from this game,” Freeman said. “The beauty of this thing is that we don’t have to wait 245 days. We have seven days until another chance, so we have to get back to work.” STAT OF THE GAMENotre Dame literally led most of the game, ahead of the score for 32:40 to 23:53 for Ohio State. None of this matters, of course, but it underscores both the purpose of Freeman’s play — shortening the game with long drives that swell the Irish’s time up front — and the literal nature of the collapse, the Buckeyes ahead of the final 15: 17, with Then, essentially developing the same design as Notre Dame, something no one could have expected before the start. “We’ve got to stop the run,” Freeman said. “Late in the game, we knew they were running the ball and we couldn’t stop it. That’s a place we need to improve on.” HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NIGHT Notre Dame made Buchner and senior linebacker Jack Kiser available to the media after the game. Both tried to shoulder the blame for the other side of the ball’s shortcomings. Ohio State scored 14 points in the second half? Buchner’s comment above “I can’t give the ball back to their offense.” Are the Irish not scoring at all in the second half? Kiser led the Buckeyes to possession for 19:34 of the second half. “We’ve got to do a better job of getting the ball back to our offense and giving them a chance,” he said. “We will own it. “That’s something we have to work on and make sure it doesn’t happen again.” RATING SUMMARYFirst Quarter 12:13 — Goal by Notre Dame. Blake Grupe 33 yards. Notre Dame 3, Ohio State 0. (5 plays, 71 yards, 2:42) 5:32 — Ohio Stadium. Emeka Egbuka 31-yard pass from CJ Stroud. Noah Ruggles PAT good. Ohio State 7, Notre Dame 3. (4 plays, 54 yards, 1:34) Second Quarter 11:56 — Ascension to Notre Dame. Audric Estime 1 yard rush. Grupe PAT good. Notre Dame 10, Ohio State 7. (10 plays, 87 yards, 5:10) 0:17 of third quarter — Ohio State touchdown. Xavier Johnson 24-yard pass from Stroud. Ruggles PAT good. Ohio State 14, Notre Dame 10. (10 plays, 70 yards, 4:33) 4:51 of fourth quarter — Ohio State touchdown. Miyan Williams 2-yard rush. Ruggles PAT good. Ohio State 21, Notre Dame 10. (14 plays, 95 yards, 7:06) tweet to @d_farmer
