Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman defended his team’s controversial decision to play with only 10 men on the field during the final two defensive plays of their loss to Ohio State. The game ended in a dramatic 17-14 victory for the Buckeyes after a one-yard touchdown run as time expired.
Freeman admitted the error but chose not to call a timeout when the team realized they were short a player. “We didn’t want to give them a free advantage by substituting and risk a penalty,” Freeman explained during the postgame press conference. Critics argue the decision may have cost Notre Dame a critical defensive stand, as the Buckeyes exploited the gap created by the missing 11th defender.
Ohio State running back Chip Trayanum scored the winning touchdown, pushing past Notre Dame’s shorthanded defensive line. The loss dropped Notre Dame to 4-1 on the season, leaving fans and analysts questioning the coaching staff’s judgment in such a pivotal moment.
Freeman emphasized accountability and vowed to learn from the mistake, but the controversy remains a hot topic in college football discussions.