Notre Dame didn’t waste any time earlier than making an announcement within the Faculty Soccer Playoff title recreation.
Getting into as underdogs because the No. 7 seed towards No. 8-seed Ohio State, the Combating Irish proceeded to orchestrate an insane 18-play, 75-yard drive that ended with quarterback Riley Leonard’s 1-yard plunge into the tip zone and drained 9:45 off the clock.
And earlier than Ohio State, Will Howard and star wideout Jeremiah Smith might even contact the ball, the Buckeyes already trailed, 7-0, and misplaced greater than half of the opening body.
Leonard appeared exhausted by the tip of the drive, as he rushed the ball 9 occasions for 34 yards and accomplished 3-of-5 passes for 31 yards.
The Combating Irish, which entered on a 13-game successful streak after a shocking early-season loss to Northern Illinois, saved shifting the ball effectively towards Ohio State’s protection, creating manageable third downs when vital and permitting head coach Marcus Freeman to make two fourth-down gambles that each paid off.
And Leonard, in fact, ended up speeding in every of these conditions, serving to lengthen a drive the place star operating again Jeremiyah Love solely managed one yard on three carries.
Ohio State entered the sport with the perfect protection within the nation for yards allowed per recreation (251.1) and hadn’t allowed greater than 21 in its three Faculty Soccer Playoff video games — together with simply 14 throughout their semifinal win towards No. 5-seed Texas on Jan. 10.
However primarily based on the Buckeyes’ first defensive possession Monday, that trajectory might change towards Leonard and the Combating Irish.
