No. 6 Ohio State emerged victorious over No. 9 Notre Dame on Saturday as DeaMonte Trayanum scored a 1-yard touchdown with one second left on the clock to lift the Buckeyes to a thrilling 16-14 win. This classic showdown between two of college football’s top brands kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last moment.

The Buckeyes started strong, taking a 10-0 lead late in the third quarter. However, Notre Dame fought back, scoring 14 unanswered points to take the lead. It was Ohio State’s junior quarterback Kyle McCord, making just his fourth career start, who rose to the occasion. Guiding the Buckeyes on a game-winning drive in the final two minutes, McCord’s composure and skill were essential to Ohio State’s success.

In a crucial play, McCord connected with Emeka Egbuka for a 21-yard gain down the middle of the field, placing the Buckeyes just 1 yard away from Notre Dame’s end zone with only seven seconds remaining and no timeouts. To keep the game alive, McCord completed a 7-yard pass to Julian Fleming on a fourth-down play. Then, he found Marvin Harrison Jr. for a 19-yard diving grab over the middle, bringing the Buckeyes even closer to the end zone.

However, with 15 seconds left, McCord was penalized for intentional grounding, forcing Ohio State to use its final timeout to avoid a 10-second runoff. Despite this setback, McCord persevered and connected with Egbuka once again, setting up Trayanum’s game-winning touchdown. With this victory, Ohio State extended its streak of defeating AP top-10 teams to 10 consecutive seasons.

The outcome was a disappointment for Notre Dame, as they have not achieved victory over Ohio State since 1936. The Buckeyes’ win also marked their sixth consecutive triumph in the series between these two storied programs.

Throughout the game, Ohio State faced challenges when it came to gaining just a single yard. On multiple occasions, they failed to pick up the necessary distance on consecutive plays and turned the ball over on downs. This raised questions about the team’s “finesse” label under head coach Ryan Day. However, the Buckeyes never lost hope and continued to fight. Ultimately, their perseverance paid off, as they earned a much-needed stop on defense and capitalized on their third opportunity to score.

Even after McCord’s pass to the right pylon resulted in an incompletion, leaving only three seconds on the clock, Day made the bold decision to rely on his run game for the final yard. Trayanum’s touchdown was so close that it required a video review to confirm that the ball had crossed the goal line before his knees hit the ground. After the game, Day expressed his frustration with comments made by former Notre Dame coach and Hall of Famer Lou Holtz, who had questioned Ohio State’s toughness. Day proudly stated that his team demonstrated their strength and resilience when it mattered most.

Notre Dame’s defense will likely face criticism for allowing Ohio State’s late, game-winning touchdown. However, it is important to recognize that the Irish’s defense performed admirably for the majority of the game. They held their own against one of the nation’s top wide receiver groups, limiting Marvin Harrison Jr. to just three catches for 32 yards. Notre Dame’s defense also kept Ohio State scoreless for over 29 minutes at the start of the game.

While the defense did its part, the same cannot be said for Notre Dame’s offense. Despite being provided with ample opportunities to score, they failed to convert those chances into points. Multiple drives ended in Ohio State territory without a score, including two failed fourth-down conversions and a missed field goal. The Irish’s defense fought hard enough to secure a victory, but their offense left much to be desired.

For Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord, this game represented a defining moment in his young career. Prior to this matchup, McCord had mostly played during garbage time, as his predecessor C.J. Stroud dominated the starting position. However, facing a top-10 opponent on the road gave McCord the opportunity to showcase his abilities on college football’s biggest stage. He had previously relied heavily on Marvin Harrison Jr., but against Notre Dame, he demonstrated his versatility by connecting with other targets. Emeka Egbuka and tight end Cade Stover each caught seven passes, while Xavier Johnson added a crucial 40-yard reception in the fourth quarter. McCord’s impressive performance in this high-pressure situation solidified his role as a key player for Ohio State’s future success.

Overall, the game between Ohio State and Notre Dame was a thrilling matchup that showcased the resilience and determination of both teams. Ohio State’s ability to come through in crunch time and secure the win highlighted their toughness, defying the doubts raised by critics like Lou Holtz. Notre Dame’s defense performed admirably, but their lackluster offense prevented them from capitalizing on scoring opportunities. As for Kyle McCord, his standout performance under intense pressure solidified his status as a rising star in college football.