Ohio Against the World (Photo by Big Ten Network)
Game 4 Ohio State at Notre Dame View from the Couch (9/23/23)
Favorite Stats of the Game: Kyle Klutch McCord on third down.
Kyle McCord was clutch. He was 10 of 13 on third down for 155 yards and nine first downs. For the game, McCord was 21 of 37 for 240 yards making him the Dwayne Haskins Player of the Game. McCord was going up against a good, well-coached defense in only his fifth career collegiate start. He got better as the game went on and gets the Fedora Award as he is well on his way to stepping into the big shoes C.J. Stroud left.
The Brooklyn Dagger Award: Chip Trayanum’s finisher.
Ohio State’s offense got a little too clever on a do-or-die down earlier in the fourth quarter. Not giving the ball to one of their talented trio of running backs in favor of a jet sweep was a mistake that got stuffed. They didn’t make that mistake on the final, and most crucial play of the game. They gave it to their tough runner Chip Trayanum and he found paydirt. This of course was the 1968 Moment, worthy of old-school, championship football. The Irish may have been off on the play, but Ohio State still had to be on to win the game.
Ryan Day going back to the running backs on the play was the Taylor Decker Award. He bounced back and kept it simple, and it won a slugfest of a football game. Hats off to Ryan Day and the offensive staff for getting it right when it mattered most.
Chase Young Defensive Players of the Game: Lathan Ransom and Tyleik Williams.
Ransom put the defense on his shoulders and led the way making big tackle after big tackle, all game long. Tyleik Williams led the charge in the middle funneling things to Ransom, and Ransom made the stops. None were bigger than when Ransom and Sonny Styles stuffed a fourth and one run by Notre Dame. Their hard tackle was the Mike Doss Hit of the Game, in a contest that had plenty of them. Styles would finish the game with six tackles and once again win the Ryan Shazier–Devin Smith Award. Ransom would finish the game with 13 total tackles and one quarterback hurry. Seven of his tackles were done solo. Williams had four tackles, three solo, a tackle for a loss, and a quarterback hurry.
Dane Sanzenbacher–K.J. Hill Award: Cade Stover.
Stover was Mr. Reliable for Kyle McCord. He was who McCord would look to when things were breaking down and more often than not Stover would bail him out. Stover just did his job without fanfare. Stover will be huge to McCord and the Buckeye offense going forward this season. Having to defend him makes defenses have a tougher time defending the run and defending Harrison and Egbuka on the outside.
Sweater Vest Award:
This game felt like an old Jim Tressel game. His games were back-and-forth affairs that were ruled by defense and rushing the football. That was this game to the letter. When texting my sister after the game, I joked that I wouldn’t live to see 50 thanks to what Buckeye nights like this have done to me. She replied that nights like this is really living and therefore worth it.
Archie Award: Marvin Harrison Jr.
Credit this man with guts and love for his teammates, coaches, and Ohio State. I, like most fans thought he was as a Buckeye after his ankle got rolled up on. Just like Jaxon Smith-Njigba last year. Not Marv.
Harrison just taped it up and walked it off. His effect didn’t show up in the stat sheet this game, but it was certainly felt during the game. He demands respect and effort from a defense. So just by being in there, he’s helping disrupt defenses and helping Henderson, Egbuka, and Stover make the difference for McCord and win the day.
Horned Rimmed Glasses Award: Ryan Day’s post-game interview.
I have to admit, I’ve been a doubter of Coach Day and was upset with parts of the game. However, I am thrilled with the results and loved seeing Coach Day fired up for his team after the victory. No one is better when they’re on their game. Just look at the 2020 Sugar Bowl, and the 2021 Rose Bowl. I love the energy and attitude he brought after this victory.
The Looking Glass: Despite this big win there were still plenty of areas of concern. It was half-empty in that the pass rush just wasn’t there most of the game. Notre Dame does have a great offensive line, but Ohio State has some equally talented defensive linemen. Another problem was that after 23:00 of playing time, Marvin Harrison Jr. still didn’t have a target.
He only had three catches for 32 yards and seven targets. Granted he had one wiped away on a blown call but Ohio State needs to target him about a dozen times a game. There won’t be a game this season where he is not the best player on the field from either team and the Buckeyes need to act like it. The offense needs to go through H&H, Harrison and Henderson.
The glass is always half full when you win, no matter how it looks. The offense did go through the ground game a lot, starting with TreVeyon Henderson. Emeka Egbuka and Cade Stover made big gains and first downs in the passing game. Kyle McCord got a game that he’ll build his career off of. The offense didn’t turn the ball over. They fought to the end and came through when it mattered most. This is the type of win that can propel and define a team for the rest of the season. That they can dig deep and remember this game when the chips are down later, and that kind of win is priceless.
2014 Moment: (Offensive Moment) TreVeyon Henderson’s touchdown run.
I’ve never had such an up-and-down reaction to a 61-yard touchdown run in my life. No sooner had Henderson scored than we saw Harrison’s ankle being rolled up. Thankfully it would end well for the Buckeyes. Henderson showed why he is RB1 on a team stacked with good running backs. He had 14 carries for 104 yards and that touchdown.
2002 Moment: (Defensive Moment) Getting the ball back for the final time.
The defense looked like it may not be able to hold another fourth-quarter lead after giving up a 96-yard touchdown drive. They struggled to get lots of pressure on Hartman, but they turned it up to 11 when it mattered the most. Brilliance by Coach Knowles for directing his defensive ends to move into the throwing lanes on Notre Dame’s last full possession. J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer both had pass break-ups that could have turned into interceptions. They got off the field and got the job done when it mattered most.
Again, I have been a huge critic of Jim Knowles and his defense and they are making a believer out of me this year. I was upset on that long touchdown drive but am happy to admit I was wrong and that these guys are for real. Sometimes a big plate of crow is as delicious as a steak. His unit’s hard work and toughness gets him the Coaching Moment of the game. The ability to move on from something that wasn’t working to something that works is rare in all of life but especially in the game of football.
Final Score
Jim Knowles had his best game as a Buckeye and his defense is legit. Ryan Day has the right attitude and energy. Kyle McCord is Klutch and McCool. This team is hungry and are finding and trying to forge a championship edge. It’s Ohio Against the World. Ohio is Home. Go Buckeyes.
