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

September 3, 2022
151,282

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

151,258 Views | 896 Replies | Last: 2 yr ago by irishtank6900
irishdane20
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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.


Give Freeman a 5 year extension with a 15 year buyout!
NDMATTM
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kevinnd21 said:

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.
this
SHAMROCK
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Cassin said:

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.
Odds are very much against converting a 1st and 25 no matter what plays are called.
ndwilky
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irishdane20 said:

Brucealeg said:

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


Give Freeman a 5 year extension with a 15 year buyout!
We should fire him. Who do you recommend as his replacement?
Rwolf101
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irishdane20 said:

Brucealeg said:

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


Give Freeman a 5 year extension with a 15 year buyout!

I doubt Mike has the capital for that type of employment risk.
TDIrish27
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bkeller said:

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

They are a better team than we are--------at the key position it isn't even close .

Deal with it.
Cassin
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SHAMROCK said:

Cassin said:

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.
Odds are very much against converting a 1st and 25 no matter what plays are called.


Cool. So let's reduce the odds by running three times when we are down in the 4th quarter. Are you serious with this?
REMND
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That is two games in a row where our offense died in the second half. In both cases it felt like it was because we lost the line battles.
mgmcool
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Overall the team played far better than I expected. OSU was very fast and disciplined, and the center of the O line for us seemed rather porous, though we were playing a great team. Buchner showed promise, and the defense was terrific, though perhaps a bit gassed at the end. Give us a better interior O line (like Patterson playing) and some time, this could be a very good team. We played them even for 3 quarters-- did anyone realistically expect more than that?
Guru2021
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Agree there. With Kelly it's a blowout.
lauebg022
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They will beat OSU based on today. OSU did not impress me at all
DarthFader
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Guru2021 said:

When was the last time we had a Stud QB. I'd say since Montana. Pretty sad but true. Hopefully Carr can change that.
Brady Quinn on line two…
lauebg022
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My main questions is offensive scheme. How can you go an entire game like this without a screen or misdirection? It's how you beat better athletes, it's done in the NFL all the time. Ours is so vanilla and easy to defend. I loved the fake pitch TE vert in the first half, but that was the only one of the game
DaytonDomer94
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Good: no turnovers
Bad: OL, missed tackles and no qb pressure
DarthFader
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Wiggs4Irish said:

This team will be very good this year.
They will lose to SC and Clemson.
Ryan_ATL
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Cassin said:

SHAMROCK said:

Cassin said:

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.
Odds are very much against converting a 1st and 25 no matter what plays are called.


Cool. So let's reduce the odds by running three times when we are down in the 4th quarter. Are you serious with this?


That specific sequence was when I turned to my wife and said this game is over without a pick six, fumble recovery etc. The offense was obviously out of options I'm not pretending to know if that's coaching or talent or both but it felt like a surrender
tvanp63
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lauebg022 said:

My main questions is offensive scheme. How can you go an entire game like this without a screen or misdirection? It's how you beat better athletes, it's done in the NFL all the time. Ours is so vanilla and easy to defend. I loved the fake pitch TE vert in the first half, but that was the only one of the game

Completely agree! My sons and I were yelling for a screen and some misdirection. Rees made it too easy to defend.
mgmcool
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TDIrish27 said:

bkeller said:

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

They are a better team than we are--------at the key position it isn't even close .

Deal with it.
Agree that they have better personel, and with Patterson out the middle of the O line really missed him.
mgmcool
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tvanp63 said:

lauebg022 said:

My main questions is offensive scheme. How can you go an entire game like this without a screen or misdirection? It's how you beat better athletes, it's done in the NFL all the time. Ours is so vanilla and easy to defend. I loved the fake pitch TE vert in the first half, but that was the only one of the game

Completely agree! My sons and I were yelling for a screen and some misdirection. Rees made it too easy to defend.
There were several swing passes, but I think they were backward passes, which really scares me since if not caught it is a loose ball and not an incomplete pass.
mgmcool
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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
Perhaps because we haven't recruited enough over the last several years. It seems that you should blame the previous ownership for that.
irishtank6900
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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


I didn't have a great day in this thread (blame the blue moons), but this response is still hilarious.

Hope you're enjoying today's game though.
 
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