The Notre Dame Fighting Irish faced a heart-wrenching defeat in the National Championship Game against the Ohio State Buckeyes, with their comeback aspirations dashed by a pivotal third-down play. The moment came when Jeremiah Smith, a standout player for the Buckeyes, made a spectacular 56-yard catch, effectively sealing the game for Ohio State. After the game, Marcus Freeman, head coach of the Fighting Irish, opened up about the playcall that led to this critical moment.
The high stakes of the moment
Third and eleven from the Buckeyes’ 34-yard line. With under three minutes left in a one-score game, the tension was palpable. If Notre Dame could stop Ohio State here, they would be right back in contention. However, desperate times called for desperate measures. The Fighting Irish opted for a full-out blitz, leaving their defensive backs in one-on-one coverages down the field without any safety help over the top.
In the world of college football, such decisions can be a double-edged sword. It’s one of those plays where, if successful, coaches are hailed as geniuses—but when it backfires, it raises eyebrows across the nation. Unfortunately for Freeman, the latter scenario unfolded, and he stood by his decision despite the backlash.
A risky gamble
The Buckeyes’ offense has proven to be a formidable force this season, with only Michigan managing to contain them. Even then, it felt like if the game had been played ten more times, Ohio State would emerge victorious in at least nine of them. Playing man coverage against the best wide receiver duo in college football, Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith, was always a risky choice. While the Irish had some success with man assignments earlier in the game, this gamble ultimately cost them dearly.
As the play unfolded, everyone knew who would be getting the football. Jeremiah Smith slipped past his defender and secured the game-sealing catch, leaving fans and analysts alike questioning Freeman’s strategy. What was he thinking?
Freeman’s bold choice
“It was do or die,” Freeman explained. “It was that type of down. If they run it and get a first down, we’ve got to get them stopped. We thought at that moment the best way to get them stopped was to run zero-pressure. You know what, like, we have to have faith at some point that we can make a play.”
This sentiment reflects the high-stakes nature of college football, where every decision can lead to glory or despair. Freeman’s confidence in his players was commendable, but the outcome left many wondering if a different approach might have yielded a better result.
Jeremiah Smith: the rising star
Jeremiah Smith has quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with, earning the title of best freshman in the NCAA and arguably the best wide receiver in the nation. His first season in Columbus has solidified his status as a top pick for the 2027 draft class, and he shows no signs of slowing down. Freeman was aware of the challenge posed by Smith, but as is often the case in sports, greatness can be difficult to contain.
“There were times in the second half that we did play man coverage,” Freeman noted. “But he’s a heck of a player. He’s difficult to cover. You want to play zone, and they’ll find ways to pick you apart. You want to play man, they’ll find ways to get him the ball. So, it’s a talented offense with that situation right there.”
The aftermath of the game
The sensational catch from Smith on that crucial third-down play will likely be the most remembered moment of the National Championship, even though it didn’t result in a touchdown. After the game, Ohio State’s head coach, Ryan Day, revealed how Freeman’s decision to go with man coverage handed them an easy conversion on a silver platter.
“If they play one-on-one on the outside, we are gonna take our shot,” Day told reporters. “They did a great job of game planning us, Will [Howard] made a huge throw, and Jeremiah [Smith] made a huge catch to seal the game.” This analysis underscores the importance of strategic planning and execution in high-stakes games.
In the end, the Fighting Irish’s gamble didn’t pay off, and the Buckeyes emerged victorious with a final score of 34-23. The loss stings for Notre Dame, but it also serves as a valuable lesson for Freeman and his team as they look to the future. With young stars like Smith shining brightly, the landscape of college football continues to evolve, and the Fighting Irish will undoubtedly be back, ready to fight another day.
