Notre Dame misses field goal as CFP championship rally fails

Just call them Our Doink!

The Fighting Irish had a chance to further cut into Ohio State’s 31-15 lead and carry their momentum into the fourth quarter, but were instead stopped in the red zone. Then, kicker Mitch Jeter’s 27-yard field goal attempt hit the uprights to keep Notre Dame off the board.

It proved to be a pivotal moment for an Irish team that was unable to complete its rally in the 34-23 loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday.

Notre Dame made its first turnover of the game 27 seconds from the end of the third quarter, a sign that the tide could be turning in its favor. Instead, it turned into a drive with an unfortunate ending — and a decision that will likely be analyzed in the days to come as the Buckeyes controlled the national championship game for most of the night.

The Irish showed fighting spirit in the second half, scoring touchdowns late in the third quarter and again in the fourth to give themselves a chance.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard connected on a 34-yard pass with Jaden Greathouse to end Ohio State’s 31-point run, with Leonard throwing a pass to Jeremiah Love for a conversion. two points.

Coach Marcus Freeman opted to go for all three points at the 9-yard line on fourth down with his team down 16 and needing two touchdowns with a pair of two-point conversions. Instead, he remained down by two massive scores.

Leonard found Greathouse after Jeter failed for a 30-yard touchdown — with a two-point conversion to make it 31-23 with 4:15 left.

The effort proved too little, too late as Ohio State held on for the victory after Jeremiah Smith’s 56-yard grab led to a 33-yard field goal by Jayden Fielding to seal it.

It left the Irish regretting the points they left on the field – or off the upright.