Notre Dame football may have lost a lot more than a national championship game to Ohio State, and a shakeup is expected very soon
It was a night to forget for Notre Dame football, falling short in the national championship game to the Ohio State Buckeyes by a score of 34 to 23. The Fighting Irish put together a stellar first drive, but was mostly dominated until the end of the third quarter. Notre Dame put together a comeback […]
It was a night to forget for Notre Dame football, falling short in the national championship game to the Ohio State Buckeyes by a score of 34 to 23. The Fighting Irish put together a stellar first drive, but was mostly dominated until the end of the third quarter. Notre Dame put together a comeback attempt, but it fell short.
From the beginning of the contest, it was an ugly showing for defensive coordinator Al Golden and his highly decorated defensive unit. Coming into the contest, the defense ranked near the top of college football in many defensive categories, but you wouldn’t have known it by watching Monday night.
The group struggled to stop the run throughout the majority of the football game, surrendering 214 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. The Buckeye running game was led by Quinshon Judkins, who finished with 11 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns on the night. That included the longest play of the day for either team, a 70 yard rush in the third quarter.
The pass defense wasn’t any better for Notre Dame. Ohio State quarterback Will Howard began the night completing 14 of his first 15 passes in the opening half. On the night, Howard threw for 231 yards and two touchdowns, throwing just four total incompletions. That included the 57-yard dagger to freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith late in the fourth quarter.
This was the worst possible timing for a subpar performance from Al Golden’s unit, which had been the backbone of this team throughout the 14-2 season. Golden had become one of the best defensive coordinators in all of college football, but unfortunately the season didn’t end the way anyone wanted.
Rumors had surfaced prior to the game that this could be the final contest for Coach Golden leaning this Irish defense. It’s no accident that the rumors began immediately following the game. Barring something last minute, Coach Golden is expected to take the defensive coordinator job with the Cincinnati Bengals. That announcement should come very soon.
Once an unconventional hire, Coach Golden became the best one that head coach Marcus Freeman has made at Notre Dame. His impact on the program can’t be undersold, and he will be missed tremendously. It’s a shame that his tenure couldn’t have ended on a better note, but everyone knows that the job he did will have a ripple effect on this team moving toward better days.
Notre Dame suffers devastating national championship loss to Ohio State, but may have found the offensive weapon they have been desperate for
Notre Dame did have on big bright spot.
