COLUMBUS, Ohio –The fifth-ranked University of Notre Dame football team opened the 2022 season under the lights at Ohio Stadium Saturday night. The Fighting Irish dropped their first contest of the season for just the first time in five seasons as Notre Dame fell 21-10 to No. 2 Ohio State. The loss snaps a five-game winning streak in season-opening games for Notre Dame.
Tyler Buchner started the first game of his career at quarterback, finishing 10-for-18 with a career-best 177 yards and a touchdown.
Junior Chris Tyree and sophomore Audric Estime combined for 15 carries, 49 yards on the ground and Estime found the end zone for the first time in his career.
Michael Mayer led the receiving corps with five receptions for 32 yards. Lorenzo Styles added a 54-yard reception to lead the team in receiving yards.
Clarence Lewis led the defensive effort with a seven-tackle performance and a pass break up in the loss. Jack Kiser added a six tackle performance and Marist Liufau ended the game with five tackles.
The Irish did not waste time on the opening possession as Buchner completed his first pass of the game to Styles along the Ohio State sideline. Styles broke a tackle and scampered down the sideline for a career-best 54-yard gain. An Ohio State personal foul penalty put the ball down on the Buckeyes’ 16 yard line. Blake Grupe knocked through the first points of the season with a 33-yard field goal as the Irish led 3-0 two minutes and 47 seconds into the contest.
Ohio State took the lead with 5:32 remaining in the first quarter when C.J. Stroud found Emeka Egbuka on the outside and scored from 31-yards out to take the 7-3 lead.
A couple of juggling catches by Matt Salerno and Kevin Bauman moved the Irish 53-yards and into the red zone to begin the second quarter. Estime scored his first career touchdown, a one-yard plunge to cap off a 10-play, 87-yard touchdown drive as the Irish took the lead at 10-7 with 11:56 remaining in the half.
In the waning minutes of the first half, Ohio State’s attempt to tie the game with a 39-yard field goal attempt went wide left. The missed field goal ended an 11-play, 55-yard drive without points and the Irish went into halftime with the lead at 10-7.
The seven Ohio State points were the least amount scored in the first half by a Buckeye team under current head coach Ryan Day.
After trading punches throughout the third quarter, Ohio State pulled ahead with 17 seconds left on the third quarter clock. Stroud connected with Xavier Johnson on a 24-yard touchdown pass to take a 14-10 lead, capping a 10-play, 74-yard drive.
Ohio State added a touchdown late, eating up more than seven minutes of time, ending the 14-play, 95-yard drive with a two yard touchdown run by Miyan Williams to extend the lead to 21-10 with 4:51 remaining.
After forcing a Notre Dame punt on the ensuing possession, Ohio State melted the final three minutes off the clock with six plays.
COURTESY NOTRE DAME ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
