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Notre Dame Football

GAME THREAD | No. 5 Notre Dame at No. 2 Ohio State

September 3, 2022
145,153

No. 5 Notre Dame vs. No. 2 Ohio State

Ohio Stadium | 7:30 p.m. ET | ABC | Ohio State -16.0 | O/U: 59

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FREEMAN ERA

Hello, football. 

If you’re looking for storylines and overblown storylines, Columbus, Ohio is the place to be on Saturday night. Marcus Freeman returns to his alma mater. Ohio State enters the game with three Heisman candidates. Tyler Buchner will make his first start at quarterback for the Fighting Irish. And the game will feature two teams that have had a chip on the shoulder for the entire offseason. 

There is no secret Notre Dame needs a signature win to continue the momentum since the hiring of Freeman and he has pushed his team in various ways over the eight months. Freeman has maintained the culture Brian Kelly built over last the five years, which was based on the brotherhood inside The Gug, but he also has emphasized competition and physicality. 

The Irish barely had time to adjust to Freeman’s hiring in the Fiesta Bowl, so this will truly be the first look at what the first-time head coach has done with the program. 

Freeman has checked boxes on the recruiting trail and the summer speaking tours. It’s now time for him to check the next box and on Thursday, he let some of his ultra-competitive personality that’s rarely shown come out during his final press conference of the week when a reporter from Columbus asked if Saturday would be emotional for him. Freeman’s response, “No.” 


NOTRE DAME-OHIO STATE TIES

- Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith (Notre Dame graduate) 
- Notre Dame head football coach Marcus Freeman (Ohio State graduate) 
- Ohio State Director of Player Personnel Zach Grant (Notre Dame graduate) 
- Ohio State assistant Tony Alford (Former Notre Dame assistant) 
- Notre Dame assistant Al Washington (Former Ohio State assistant) 
- Notre Dame assistant Brian Mason (Former Ohio State GA)
- Notre Dame graduate assistant Nick Sebastian (Former Ohio State GA)
- Notre Dame graduate assistant James Laurinaitis (Ohio State graduate) 
- Ohio State assistant athletic director for sports performance Mickey Marotti (Former Notre Dame S&C coach) 
- Ohio State senior advisor (to Ryan Day) Keenan Bailey (Notre Dame graduate)
- Notre Dame assistant Art Director Boston Logan (Ohio State graduate) 
- Ohio State linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (Brother of former Notre Dame OL Liam Eichenberg)
- Notre Dame receiver Lorenzo Styles and Ohio State safety Sonny Styles (Sons of former Ohio State LB Lorenzo Styles) 
- Ohio State program assistant Reilly Jeffers (Son of the late Notre Dame broadcast legend Jeff Jeffers)


A FEW FACTS

- Notre Dame has only played three times in its history on September 3 and are 2-1 on the date, which includes Charlie Weis’ first game for the Irish on the road at No. 23 Pittsburgh (a 42-21 Notre Dame victory).

- Over the past two seasons with Tommy Rees as the offensive coordinator, Notre Dame is one of only eight FBS schools to pass for over 6,500 yards and rush for over 4,000 yards (North Carolina, Ole Miss, BYU, Alabama, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Florida and Clemson).

- Notre Dame tied the school record for sacks in a season last year with 41, matching the total from the 1996 season. Of those 41 sacks, only 6.5 were recorded by players who graduated and left the program at the end of the 2021 season.

- Since 1980, Notre Dame is 213-24 (.899) when it scores 30 or more points.

- Over the last 10 seasons, Ohio State has a 36-9 record vs. ranked opponents for a .800 winning percentage. Ohio State is 14-3 (.824) vs. ranked opponents at home during this decade.

- Ohio State will face a top-five ranked opponent in its season opener for just the third time in program history on Saturday.

- Never before have the Buckeyes opened a season in a game when both teams are ranked in the top five.

- Ohio State and Notre Dame have been two of the elite – and winningest – programs over the last 10 seasons. In that span, Ohio State is third with 117 wins; Notre Dame is sixth with 97.


Five Players To Watch

Notre Dame QB Tyler Buchner
Buchner gets his first start at quarterback in The Shoe. It's difficult to recall any new starter having a more difficult challenge than this to kick off his time as QB1. The Irish don't need him to be All-World in this game, but if he can continue to make big plays with his legs and be efficient as a passer, then it will give Notre Dame a chance to come out with a win.

Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
What else can be added that hasn't already been said about the All-American receiver in the lead up to this game? He's a threat to produce a big play at any moment out of the slot and led the Power 5 in yards after the catch last season. Notre Dame won't stop him, but has to hope to contain him. 

Notre Dame DL Jayson Ademilola
The fifth-year defensive tackle came in talking a big game and now he has to back it up. Notre Dame needs him to be a disruptor against the run and get into CJ Stroud's face as much as possible. We'll see if Ademilola can step up in a big spot. 

Ohio State OL Paris Johnson
After starting at right guard last year, the former 5-star offensive tackle prospect is back at his natural position protecting CJ Stroud's blindside. Johnson struggled a bit in pass protection last season and OSU has to hope that was more of a feature of him playing guard than a predictor of how he'll handle Isaiah Foskey and company.

Notre Dame LB Marist Liufau
Notre Dame fans have been anticipating this comeback for over a year and Liufau is slated to start at Will for the Irish. They're going to need him to be a Havoc producer at the second level to help put the loaded Buckeyes' offense behind the sticks


Quotes of the Week

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman:
"If you don't stop the run, they'll run it all day long. The ability to stop the run is most important. We know they're very talented at throwing the ball. It's the mindset, that if you can't stop the run, they can throw it, they can run and do whatever they want to do. We have to be able to stop the run and be able to give different looks defensively. I'm not going to say we're trying to confuse them, but give them different looks in terms of the pass game." 

Notre Dame QB Tyler Buchner:
“I think there’s a lot of emotions,” said Buchner. “It’s my first start playing at Ohio State - a night game. I think I would be lying if I said there wasn’t a little bit of nerves. I think that’s pretty normal and human. I’m definitely really excited. I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to my family coming out and watching me play - some relatives who haven’t seen me play in a while. 

“I’m looking forward to our offense going out there and playing.” 

Notre Dame DL Jayson Ademilola:
”We’re on the same page. We’re all communicating. We understand we all play different positions, but our jobs are just as important. We all need to be on the same page. Communication has been higher. We all know our strengths. We’re going to play to our strengths. We feel like we’re the toughest, stronger, badass motherf*ckers in the country and that’s just going to be our strength. We’re going to use that as our strength.”

Laverna Styles (Mother of Lorenzo and Sonny Styles):
“Mom will be nervous. I'm always nervous because you don't want anyone to get hurt. I'm always cheering for their team. This situation, I'm not really cheering for a team, but I'm cheering for my sons. That's my approach. I will be a nervous wreck regardless.

“They're living their dreams, but also getting a great education and the connections and friendships they will make from this - we always stress football doesn't last long. Use these experiences to grow. You're not going to be a football player and retire at 50. There's going to be another career after football."


For Your Nerves 

Under Armour 2022 Notre Dame Fighting Irish Sideline Pullover Hoodie

GAME THREAD | No. 5 Notre Dame at No. 2 Ohio State

145,128 Views | 896 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by irishtank6900
toliver0917
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tonyndnick said:

I didn't expect the offensive line to play well tonight. Too much inexperience. They'll get better.


Huh? Lugg has been here forever. He has always been pretty bad. Correll getting pushed back ten yards last year will forever be burned in my mind. Kristofic played subpar last year too. The interior is the problem and they're not that new
bmhend54
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tonyndnick said:

I didn't expect the offensive line to play well tonight. Too much inexperience. They'll get better.


Not with Zeke at center and Lugg playing…..well anything. He should not see the field again.
irishtank6900
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10 passes in the second half. If Buchner doesn't figure it out by week 3 or 4 you move on. Can't win big in CFB like this.
joirish
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What make this bad is Michigan has a great chance to go back to the playoffs. They have a better oline better RB. They can beat OSU.
irishdane20
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Harry Heistand coached lines were ineffective vs elite teams during his 1st stint with ND, & remain so. Him & Rees can join BK's fam-uh-Lee in Baton Rouge.
mbmirish
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Good move by Day to run out the clock not what I expected.
jtthedomer
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How come other teams make adjustments to find something that works,but ND coaches are stuck in neutral?Does Rees ever find a weakness in the defense and adjust?
TheGroove91
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On to Marshall
Wiggs4Irish
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irishdane20 said:

Harry Heistand coached lines were ineffective vs elite teams during his 1st stint with ND, & remain so. Him & Rees can join BK's fam-uh-Lee in Baton Rouge.


It's game 1 dork.
emeyers
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Stroud told Buchner "learn how to throw the ball".
Hecklinski8
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I love when everyone predicts we're going to get killed and we hold the lead to nearly the 4th quarter.

That offensive PI absolutely took the wind out of the sails.
Blueclaw
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It's over Josh, give me your helmet.
We are created to be creators.
MattPaulND
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jtthedomer said:

How come other teams make adjustments to find something that works,but ND coaches are stuck in neutral?Does Rees ever find a weakness in the defense and adjust?


Not much will ever work behind that OL.
blairkiel
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irishtank6900 said:

10 passes in the second half. If Buchner doesn't figure it out by week 3 or 4 you move on. Can't win big in CFB like this.
Maybe one day after all these years you can understand "game planning"

Kelly and Weis would have lost this game 48-6
MAS
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irishtank6900 said:

10 passes in the second half. If Buchner doesn't figure it out by week 3 or 4 you move on. Can't win big in CFB like this.


Move on to whom? Angeli? Come on. It's 1 game. The Oline was dog crap.
SHAMROCK
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Rwolf101 said:

SHAMROCK said:

Guru2021 said:

Tackling has been atrocious
tough to tackle while you are being blocked by a 325 pound athlete

The OSU defense disagrees
OSU OL got their bodies on our LBs over and over again, ND did not

OSU OL were making blocks 5+ yards down field - - ND OL does not get downfield
Brucealeg
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In the past this would have been a blow out and we got a close game. I cant be unhappy.
ndsean44
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jtthedomer said:

How come other teams make adjustments to find something that works,but ND coaches are stuck in neutral?Does Rees ever find a weakness in the defense and adjust?
Unfortunately there's no adjusting to bad OL play. Doesn't help that the receiving targets are few and far between.
Rwolf101
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SHAMROCK said:

Rwolf101 said:

SHAMROCK said:

Guru2021 said:

Tackling has been atrocious
tough to tackle while you are being blocked by a 325 pound athlete

The OSU defense disagrees
OSU got their bodies on our LBs over and over again, ND did not

OSU OL were making blocks 5+ yards down field - - ND OL does not get downfield

I very much agree. But my snipe was at the ND O line.
Cassin
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Alaskan said:





Mr. Dorfman

0.2

Fat, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life
Rwolf101
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Brucealeg said:

In the past this would have been a blow out and we got a close game. I cant be unhappy.

I want to agree...but 11points is close?
Guru2021
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. Just a fact no reason to get mad sweetie. Can't win with 3 LB that are slow as malaises and can't tackle.
Blueclaw
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Salerno should have never been making tackles on offense.
We are created to be creators.
ndwilky
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Just be happy knowing a lot of Da Ohio State fans lost a **** ton of money by them not covering
ndsean44
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Can't put too much on Harry.

Dude had to overcome an injury to our best lineman and overall pretty crap guard depth.

It is what it is.
NDMATTM
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blairkiel said:

irishtank6900 said:

10 passes in the second half. If Buchner doesn't figure it out by week 3 or 4 you move on. Can't win big in CFB like this.
Maybe one day after all these years you can understand "game planning"

Kelly and Weis would have lost this game 48-6


No, Wei's would have. Kelly would have played it the same way as tommy… same outcome
Rwolf101
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Alaskan said:

Salerno should have never been making tackles on offense.

More to the point he should have never seen field time. That is the state.of our receivers room after a few years of Del.
Guru2021
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Salerno 15 yd penalty killed the drive that could've put us ahead or at least down by 1. Changed the momentum of the game.
Blueclaw
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Bingo
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kevinnd21
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Can't call a delayed/ poorly disguised safety blitz when you have a chance to hold them to a field goal.

Oline was not good.

How do you only target Styles 2-3times?! That alone could be a fireable offense

I know we don't want turnovers but you have to throw the ball up the seams. We get so scared of losing the game, we don't try to win it.
Kong
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Alaskan said:

Salerno should have never been making tackles on offense.


Why is NOTRE DAME relying on walk-on wide outs?? ???
Salerno
Finke

Cmon man
Cassin
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Guru2021 said:

Salerno 15 yd penalty killed the drive that could've put us ahead or at least down by 1. Changed the momentum of the game.


Just to be fair. Three straight runs helped the penalty be a killer.
NDMATTM
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Rwolf101 said:

Brucealeg said:

In the past this would have been a blow out and we got a close game. I cant be unhappy.

I want to agree...but 11points is close?


They scored a TD withb5 min left… so yes, it was close. But we should have won the game. I just don't know why tommy doesn't make adjustments. The offense in in 2nd half was horrid.
mjhahn
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Kong said:

Alaskan said:

Salerno should have never been making tackles on offense.


Why is NOTRE DAME relying on walk-on wide outs?? ???
Salerno
Finke

Cmon man
Because of the previous Head Coach not SACKING the last terrible WR coach. Freeman is not a miracle worker.
bkeller
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I haven't read any posts, I watched and am disappointed. Do we have a qb that Rees has faith in? Or is Rees the problem. Sorry 8 saw a team that didn't try to win the game. Maybe I am wrong but that's what I saw. A team that wanted to win versus a team trying not to lose. To me if Freeman doesn't see that today we are gonna be in neutral for years until we replace him
 
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