Ohio State rallies with thrilling last-second, game-winning touchdown to beat Notre Dame 17–14

• Updated: Sep. 24, 2023, 12:28 a.m.|

Ohio State at Notre Dame, September 23, 2023

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Just four games into Kyle McCord’s first full season as the starting quarterback at Ohio State, the team’s most important game to this point rested on his arm and the Buckeyes’ offense amidst a sea of green at Notre Dame Stadium.

With less than two minutes to play and one timeout, the offense jogged onto the field for one final go at the end zone.

Their top receiver was hobbled. Their run game was sporadic. The pass game hadn’t connected on any deep shots. And they’d just been turned away at the Notre Dame 10-yard line. It was hard to find a more adverse situation for Ohio State’s offense.

And then McCord announced his presence as the starting quarterback with authority.

He led Ohio State on a long scoring drive, littered with key third and fourth down conversions, and that ended with a game-winning 1-yard touchdown plunge to win a thrilling 17–14 game in South Bend. The issues that plagued them the entire game seemingly went away with a touchdown with one second left to play.

Tight, almost scoreless first half

For all the bravado from both Ohio State and Notre Dame prior to kickoff, neither team took many shots to start the game.

McCord was 9 of 16 for 84 yards at halftime, and Hartman was 9 of 13 for 88 yards. Neither offense took many deep shots, and though both went for it on fourth-and-short in opposing territory, neither converted.

The Irish averaged 5.4 yards per play in the first half, while the Buckeyes averaged 4.2 yards per play. For the expected fireworks to start the game, while the play was exciting, the scoreboard stayed almost inactive.