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Rapid Reaction as Buckeyes silence Notre Dame in final seconds

Spencer-Holbrookby:Spencer Holbrook•09/23/23•

SpencerHolbrook

Ohio State by Matt Parker -- Lettermen Row --
(Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Ohio State had 366 yards of total offense Saturday night. But 1 was so much more than just a yard.

The final yard, earned in the final seconds by running back Chip Trayanum, won the Buckeyes the game. It sent a message that this team, doubted about its lack of toughness for the last two years and change, can be tough. It can earn a yard when it matters most. And it can eek out a 17-14 stunner over Notre Dame in the closing seconds of Saturday night in one of college football’s games of the year.

And after the game, after he heard so many pundits, media personalities and college football talking heads, including legendary Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz, say that Ohio State wasn’t tough enough, Day finally let it all hang out.

He was fired up to take the podium in the postgame press conference to talk about that 1 yard that sent Ohio State into a frenzy and Notre Dame home, silenced.

“I’ve been emotional, and the team will tell you that, for the last couple of days,” Day said. “When I started hearing some of the things that were said. First off, it’s not true. I don’t know where people get off just saying things. It really upsets me. Put the film on. People make comments and they don’t watch film. Our guys are tough, they’re physical. They get after it. And they did it again tonight.”

Ohio State had a 10-0 lead midway through the third quarter. But then the Fighting Irish began to finally square up and fight back, taking a 14-10 lead and looking like they were going to ice the game with a couple of first downs after stopping the Buckeyes on a fourth and 1. But Ohio State stood tall on defense and forced a punt.

And Kyle McCord came up clutch, leading Ohio State all the way down to the 1-yard line. And then Chip Trayanum plunged into the end zone for yard No. 366. And it sent the Buckeyes home with a classic, all-time 17-14 win.

Turns out the Buckeyes can be tough.

Lettermen Row was in Notre Dame Stadium for the Buckeyes win over Notre Dame on Saturday night. And after watching Ohio State improve to 4-0 and hearing from the Buckeyes post-game, the Lettermen Row crew is back with a full breakdown of the game. Make sure to catch the video at the top of the page or on the Lettermen Row Youtube channel.

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