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SOUTH BEND — As the final 86 seconds unfolded at Notre Dame Stadium late Saturday night, it felt strangely like a sequel, specifically a rewrite from 2005. Only this time, it seemed, Notre Dame football would get the ending it wanted and always felt it deserved.
Well, revisionist history will have to wait.
Much like the famed “Bush Push” game in 2005 — a 34-31 survival of the ninth-ranked Irish by No. 1 and two-time defending national champion USC — Notre Dame fell seconds short of what would have been one of its most storied victories.
What the Irish got instead Saturday was another storied loss as No. 6 Ohio State’s Chip Trayanum willed his way to a 1-yard touchdown run with a second left for a 17-14 win over No. 9 Notre Dame.
Eighteen years ago it was Notre Dame leading the Trojans 31-28 with 1:25 left when Matt Leinart completed a fourth-and-10 pass to DeWayne Jarrett to the Irish 19. It would eventually lead to a 2-yard QB sneak for Leinart at 0:03.
Famously, Leinart was initially stopped by Notre Dame’s defensive surge, but was pushed in for the winning score by running back Reggie Bush.
With déjà vu in the crisp September air Saturday, the Buckeyes drove 65 yards on 15 plays in the final 1:26. Along the way Ohio State converted a third-and-10 for 23 yards, a fourth-and-7 for 7 yards and a third-and-19 for 21 yards to the Irish 1-yard line at 0:07.
While Leinart got an assist from his fellow Heisman-winning teammate, Trayanum benefited from Notre Dame’s defense only having 10 players on the field as he was stood up momentarily before stretching over the goal just before his knee hit the turf. Game over.
It was the same south endzone — practically the same spot — as Leinart’s plunge 18 years ago.
More: How did Notre Dame football grade out in last-second loss to Ohio State?
While the build-up…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/d-j-vu-ohio-state-210039460.html
Author : South Bend Tribune
Publish date : 2023-09-24 21:00:39
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