LIVE UPDATES: Ohio State Defeats Notre Dame with a Walk-Off Touchdown, 17-14
The No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes travel to South Bend, Indiana to take on their most intimidating opponent yet this season: the No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
The Buckeyes and Fighting Irish have a long and connected history, spanning all the way back to 1935. Ohio State lost the inaugural matchup 18-13 in Columbus, but hold a 5-2 lead in the all-time series that includes the last three games.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame won the first two meetings in 1935 and 1936, but have yet to snag a win against the Buckeyes since that latter contest. The two college-football blue bloods opened the year against one another last season at Ohio Stadium in a game which the Buckeyes won, 21-10.
Before that, the Scarlet and Gray toppled the Fighting Irish in the 2016 BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl, 44-28.
If an old, albeit short history wasn't enough to make Saturday's game that much more interesting, current members of both school's athletic programs can tie their roots back to the opposing institution.
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith played football for Notre Dame from 1973 to 1977. On the other side, Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman was a member of the Buckeyes linebacker core between 2004 and 2008, alongside legends like Bobby Carpenter and A.J. Hawk.
The weather at game time should be more than optimal. Forecasts currently call for 73 degrees at 7 p.m., and project the sun to have set no later than halfway through the first quarter.
The Buckeyes and Fighting Irish kick off at 7:30 p.m. eastern on NBC from Notre Dame Stadium.
Live updates will begin following the opening kick off.
COIN TOSS: Notre Dame won the coin toss and elected to differ to the second half. Ohio State will defend the north endzone.
FIRST QUARTER
OHIO STATE PUNT
The Buckeyes traveled 33 yards (22 of which came from tight end Cade Stover) before punter Jesse Mirco booted possession over to the Irish.
Ohio State - 0, Notre Dame - 0
change of possession
NOTRE DAME TURNOVER ON DOWNS
Quarterback Sam Hartman comes up a yard short on a 4th-and-1 conversion to give possession back to Ohio State on their own 18-yard line.
Ohio State - 0, Notre Dame - 0
change of possession
OHIO STATE PUNT
The Buckeyes have the ball for less than two minutes before Notre Dame forces another three-and-out.
Ohio State - 0, Notre Dame - 0
change of possession
END OF Q1: Ohio State - 0, Notre Dame - 0
SECOND QUARTER
NOTRE DAME MISSED FIELD GOAL
Fighting Irish kicker Spencer Shrader is off the mark from 47-yards out, keeping this a scoreless game with 14:04 left in the first half.
Ohio State - 0, Notre Dame - 0
change of possession
OHIO STATE TURNOVER ON DOWNS
Quarterback Kyle McCord's pass intended for tight end Cade Stover is batted down at the goal line, denying the Buckeyes key points in a still-scoreless game.
Ohio State - 0, Notre Dame - 0
change of possession
NOTRE DAME PUNT
The Fighting Irish are forced to punt the ball for the first time tonight after a five-play drive that took just over three minutes.
Ohio State - 0, Notre Dame - 0
change of possession
NOTRE DAME PASS INTERFERENCE
Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. is ruled to have not had possession of the football after an official review, however a 15-yard penalty gives the Buckeyes the ball on the Fighting Irish 48-yard line.
Ohio State - 0, Notre Dame - 0
OHIO STATE INCOMPLETION
Buckeyes receiver Emeka Egbuka appeared to have scored the first points of the game on a 15-yard touchdown catch, but an official review ruled he lost control of the ball.
Ohio State - 0, Notre Dame - 0
OHIO STATE FIELD GOAL
Buckeyes kicker Jayden Fielding puts Ohio State on the board with the first points of the game late in the second quarter.
Ohio State - 3, Notre Dame - 0
change of possession
HALFTIME: Ohio State - 3, Notre Dame - 0
THIRD QUARTER
NOTRE DAME TURNOVER ON DOWNS
The Fighting Irish give the football back to the Buckeyes with 11:26 left in the third quarter after a seven-yard drive.
Ohio State - 3, Notre Dame - 0
change of possession
OHIO STATE TOUCHDOWN
Buckeyes running back TreVeyon Henderson records the game's first touchdown with a 61-yard score.
Ohio State - 10, Notre Dame - 0
change of possession
NOTRE DAME TOUCHDOWN
Fighting Irish running back Gi'Bran Payne gets the Fighting Irish on the board with a one-yard run off of a direct snap.
Ohio State - 10, Notre Dame - 7
change of possession
END OF Q3: Ohio State - 10, Notre Dame - 7
FOURTH QUARTER
OHIO STATE PUNT
Jesse Mirco punts the ball away to begin the final period of play against Notre Dame.
Ohio State - 10, Notre Dame - 7
change of possession
NOTRE DAME TOUCHDOWN
Notre Dame receiver Rico Flores Jr. hauls in a two-yard scoring reception from quarterback Sam Hartman to give the Fighting Irish the lead.
Ohio State - 10, Notre Dame - 14
change of possession
OHIO STATE TOUCHDOWN
Buckeyes running back Chip Trayanum gives the Buckeyes a three-point lead with one second left on the game clock.
Ohio State - 17, Notre Dame - 14
change of possession
FINAL: Ohio State - 17, Notre Dame - 14
