Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish: Live Game Updates, Stats, Play-by-Play
Location: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN
Date: October 28, 2023
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Broadcast: ABC
The Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) travel to South Bend for an exciting primetime showdown with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (6-1, 3-1 ACC). With both teams ranked in the top 10 nationally, this matchup promises to be one of the most anticipated games of the season. Will the Buckeyes continue their unbeaten streak, or will the Fighting Irish defend their home turf in front of a raucous crowd?
First Quarter: A Defensive Showdown
7:30 PM ET – Kickoff
The game kicks off, and Ohio State’s Noah Ruggles boots it to Chris Tyree of Notre Dame, who takes it out of the end zone and gets stopped at the 22-yard line. The Irish offense takes the field for their opening drive.
14:50 – Notre Dame Drive, 1st and 10 at their own 22-yard line
Notre Dame opens with a run play. Audric Estime gets the first carry of the game, rumbling for 5 yards up the middle. Ohio State’s defensive line has been aggressive early on, clogging the running lanes.
14:00 – 2nd and 5
Quarterback Sam Hartman drops back to pass for the first time, but Ohio State’s defense is all over him. The pass is incomplete, and it’s now 3rd and 5. Hartman surveys the field, but the Buckeyes secondary holds firm, and the pressure forces a rushed throw.
13:50 – 3rd and 5
Hartman gets the snap and looks deep downfield for Tobias Merriweather, but the throw is off target, and Notre Dame is forced to punt. The Buckeyes defense, led by JT Tuimoloau, flexes its muscle early on.
13:40 – Ohio State Drive, 1st and 10 at their own 30-yard line
Ohio State’s offense takes the field, led by star quarterback Kyle McCord. The first play of the game is a quick screen to Marvin Harrison Jr., who catches it for 7 yards before being tackled by Notre Dame’s defense. The Irish secondary looks tight in coverage.
13:00 – 2nd and 3
McCord hands off to Miyan Williams, who rushes for a tough 3-yard gain to move the chains. Ohio State is trying to establish a balanced offensive attack, mixing in both the run and pass to keep Notre Dame’s defense guessing.
12:00 – 1st and 10 at the 40-yard line
McCord airs one out deep to Harrison Jr., but Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison makes a beautiful play to break up the pass. The ball falls harmlessly to the turf, and it’s 2nd and 10.
11:30 – 2nd and 10
Williams gets the ball again, this time rushing for 5 yards up the middle. The Irish defense has been stout against the run, but Williams is fighting for every yard.
10:50 – 3rd and 5
McCord drops back to pass but is under pressure from Riley Mills. He manages to get the ball to Emeka Egbuka, who makes the catch and powers forward for a first down, setting up a new set of downs for the Buckeyes at the Notre Dame 45-yard line.
10:00 – 1st and 10
McCord hands off to TreVeyon Henderson, who takes the carry and bursts through the line for a 10-yard gain. The Buckeyes are moving the ball efficiently, and it’s clear they’re starting to settle into their rhythm.
9:10 – 1st and 10 at the 35-yard line
The Buckeyes are looking to capitalize on the momentum. McCord fakes the handoff and looks deep down the left sideline for Julian Fleming. The pass is incomplete, but a flag is thrown for pass interference on Notre Dame’s Clarence Lewis. Ohio State will get 15 yards and an automatic first down.
8:40 – 1st and 10 at the 20-yard line
Ohio State is now in the red zone. McCord looks for Harrison Jr. in the corner of the end zone, but Morrison is there to break it up. It’s a great defensive play by Notre Dame.
8:10 – 2nd and 10
Henderson takes a handoff and is tackled for a 2-yard loss by Notre Dame’s defensive linemen. The Irish are not making it easy for Ohio State’s offense to move the ball.
7:20 – 3rd and 12 at the 22-yard line
McCord takes the snap and quickly surveys the field, looking for his options. He finds Cade Stover over the middle for a 10-yard gain, but it’s still 4th and 2. Ruggles will come on for a field goal attempt.
6:40 – 4th and 2
Ruggles kicks a 39-yard field goal, and it’s up and good! Ohio State takes the lead 3-0.
Second Quarter: The Battle Intensifies
12:00 – Notre Dame Drive
The Fighting Irish start with the ball in the second quarter, hoping to answer Ohio State’s field goal. Hartman connects with Chris Tyree on a short screen pass for a gain of 8 yards, bringing up 2nd and 2.
11:10 – 2nd and 2
Estime gets the handoff, powering through the Ohio State defense for a 5-yard gain and a fresh set of downs. The Irish are starting to get into a rhythm on the ground.
10:30 – 1st and 10 at their own 38-yard line
Hartman fakes the handoff and rolls out to his right, looking downfield. He hits Jaden Greathouse on a 15-yard crossing route. The Irish offense is moving, and they’re starting to find some success through the air.
9:00 – 1st and 10 at the Ohio State 47-yard line
Hartman’s pass to Merriweather is broken up by Ohio State’s Denzel Burke, forcing an incompletion. The Buckeyes’ secondary is playing tight coverage, especially in key moments.
8:40 – 2nd and 10
Hartman drops back, evading pressure from Tuimoloau. He gets the ball to Estime on a screen pass, but Ohio State’s defense swarms him quickly, limiting the gain to 3 yards.
8:00 – 3rd and 7
Hartman looks to the sideline for the play call. He takes the snap and fires to Tyree, but the throw is low and out of reach. Another quick stop by Ohio State, and Notre Dame will punt once again.
7:40 – Ohio State Drive
Ohio State takes over at their own 25-yard line. McCord hands off to Henderson, who gets a solid 6-yard gain up the middle. The Buckeyes are trying to keep the defense honest with the run game.
6:30 – 2nd and 4
McCord goes play-action and hits Fleming for a 12-yard completion. The Buckeyes are starting to open up their playbook more as the game progresses.
5:00 – 1st and 10 at the Notre Dame 45-yard line
Ohio State’s offensive line is starting to control the line of scrimmage. Williams gets a 7-yard gain on a quick burst up the middle.
4:20 – 2nd and 3
McCord connects with Stover over the middle again for another solid gain, this time for 14 yards. The Buckeyes are in the red zone, and they’re looking to extend their lead before halftime.
3:00 – 1st and 10 at the 18-yard line
McCord looks for Harrison Jr. in the end zone, but Morrison makes another great play to break up the pass. Notre Dame’s defense is showing fight, but the Buckeyes are pushing the pace.
2:30 – 2nd and 10
Williams takes the ball again, gaining 6 yards before being stopped by Jack Kiser of Notre Dame. It’s now 3rd and 4 with Ohio State in field goal range.
2:00 – 3rd and 4 at the 12-yard line
McCord goes to the air, targeting Harrison Jr., but the pass is broken up. Another great defensive stand by the Irish.
1:40 – 4th and 4
Ruggles steps in for another field goal attempt. This time it’s a 29-yarder, and it’s good. Ohio State extends its lead to 6-0.
Halftime: Ohio State 6, Notre Dame 0
Both teams have shown flashes of brilliance on defense, with Ohio State holding Notre Dame scoreless and Notre Dame holding strong against Ohio State’s powerful offense. The key storylines heading into the second half: Will Ohio State continue to control the game with its defense? Can Notre Dame finally find a rhythm on offense and get their first points?
