Chip Trayanum plunged across the goal line from a yard out with 1 second left, leading No. 6 Ohio State to victory No. 9 Notre Dame 17-14 on Saturday night.
Trayanum's score capped a gutty game-winning drive by Kyle McCord and the Buckeyes that included a fourth-down conversion and a third-and-19 completion that got Ohio State to the Notre Dame 1 with time for two plays.
After an incomplete pass on first down, the Buckeyes went to a running play with 3 seconds left too advantage of an overloaded defense to one side and what appeared to be only 10 defenders on the field for the Fighting Irish.
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The win was a statement for the Buckeyes and head coach Ryan Day, who was fired up during his on-field interview after the game.
"This is a tough team," Day said just after calling out Lou Holtz, who won a national championship as head coach of Notre Dame in 1988.
"I'd like to know where Lou Holtz is right now. What he said about our team, what he said about our team I cannot believe," Day said. "This is a tough team right here."
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The 86-year-old College Football Hall of Famer had said earlier in the day on Saturday that Notre Dame was a better team than Ohio State because they are the more physical team.
"He (Day) has lost to Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Michigan twice, and everybody (that) beats him does so because they are more physical than Ohio State," Holtz said.
THE TAKEAWAY
Ohio State: McCord took his biggest step forward yet Saturday by leading the Buckeyes to victory. Ohio State needs him to play the way he did on the final series.
McCord finished 21 for 37 for 240 yards and Henderson ran for 104 yards.
Notre Dame: Hartman has changed the whole perception of the Irish. His quick reads, accurate throws and nimble runs certainly have the Irish looking strong. But with three possible unbeaten foes in the next three weeks, they need Hartman to beat at his best.
INJURY UPDATE
Ohio State: Harrison injured his leg on Henderson's scoring run when he got rolled up. Harrison spent several minutes in the Buckeyes injury tent but returned on the next series.
Notre Dame: Receiver Jayde Thomas also went to the injury tent when he was rolled up while blocking on an 18-yard run on Notre Dame's touchdown drive.
UP NEXT
Ohio State: Return to Big Ten play next Saturday by hosting Maryland.
Notre Dame: Plays a second straight ranked opponent next Saturday when it visits No. 18 Duke.
