In a game filled with big plays and critical decisions, Notre Dame’s failed fake punt in the second half of the College Football Playoff National Championship against Ohio State proved to be a pivotal moment.
The Fighting Irish, trailing 28-7, attempted a risky fourth-and-2 fake punt from their own 33-yard line. The gamble nearly worked, but backup quarterback Steve Angeli’s pass fell incomplete, handing Ohio State a golden opportunity.
While the Irish defense managed to limit the Buckeyes to a field goal, extending the deficit to 31-7, the decision still loomed large as Notre Dame fought to close the gap. Though they eventually made it a two-possession game with a touchdown and two-point conversion, the gifted three points made their comeback attempt even more difficult.
Let’s break down why this decision was so surprising and how it impacted the game.
The Fake Punt: A High-Stakes Gamble Gone Wrong
A Questionable Call at a Critical Moment
At fourth-and-2 from their own 33-yard line, many expected Notre Dame to go for it in a conventional manner. Instead, they lined up in punt formation, a move that caught even Ohio State off guard.
However, instead of pinning the Buckeyes deep, Notre Dame chose to run a fake punt, with backup quarterback Steve Angeli rolling out and attempting a pass to Jordan Faison. The pass was on target, but Faison couldn’t secure it, and the ball fell incomplete.
Why It Was Surprising
- Field Position Risk – A failed attempt meant giving Ohio State the ball deep in Notre Dame’s territory, essentially handing them an easy scoring chance.
- Predictability – With the Irish trailing by 21 points, Ohio State may have been expecting some sort of trick play, making the execution even tougher.
- Better Options Available – Instead of a low-percentage fake punt, Notre Dame could have run a traditional fourth-down play with their offense, which had been finding some rhythm.
How It Affected the Game
- Ohio State capitalized by converting the turnover into a Jayden Fielding 45-yard field goal, making it 31-7.
- Notre Dame fought back, scoring a touchdown and two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 31-15.
- Those extra three points for Ohio State made a potential comeback much harder for the Irish.
Could Notre Dame Have Mounted a Comeback?
Despite the setback, Notre Dame didn’t quit. They managed to recover a fourth-quarter fumble from Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka, giving them a chance to make it a one-possession game. However, a missed 27-yard field goal by kicker Mitch Jeter kept the Buckeyes’ lead intact.
Later, the Irish scored again to trim the lead to 31-23, but Ohio State’s 57-yard pass from Will Howard to Jeremiah Smith sealed the game.
Notre Dame’s fake punt attempt was a bold but questionable call that ultimately failed to change the game in their favor. While aggressive coaching can pay off, this particular decision backfired by giving Ohio State easy points.
Even though the Irish showed resilience, the extra field goal proved costly, making their uphill battle even steeper. In the end, Ohio State’s dominance, explosive offense, and clutch plays proved too much for Notre Dame to overcome, securing the Buckeyes’ national championship victory.
