Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports

Marcus Freeman Under Fire After Bold Decision Leads to Notre Dame Loss in Championship

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | Last updated Jan 20, 2025 11:10 PM ET

For most of the national championship game, it appeared that things were getting out of hand as the Ohio State Buckeyes mounted a big lead over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the second half.

Early in the third quarter, it was 28-7, Ohio State, but the Fighting Irish were able to claw their way back in the game and make it 31-23 late in the fourth quarter. All Notre Dame needed was a stop to get the ball back and try to tie the game with just over two minutes left.

So with the Buckeyes facing a 3rd and 11, Notre Dame sent pressure. Unfortunately, they left their cornerback on an island against Jeremiah Smith, one of the best wide receivers in the nation.

Smith burned him for 56 yards and a first down, leading the Buckeyes to run out the clock and win the game.

That coaching decision from Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman to leave CB Christian Gray on an island is bringing a lot of heat on the young coach, since it ended up costing his team the game in the end.

On an island vs Jeremiah Smith, good luck kid
— parker fleming (@statsowar) January 21, 2025

Biggest play of the game, you put a CB on an island against quite possibly the best WR in the nation.

What a coaching clinic we've got going on here.
— Zachary Neel (@zacharycneel) January 21, 2025

One on one on that play...
— Big Ten information. College football fan (@Genetics56) January 21, 2025

Why would leave the number 1 overall pick in the NFL draft with man to man coverage!!!!

Dumb dumb coaching!!
— John Davis, CSCS, Pn1, OPEX (@Mr_davisj) January 21, 2025

I’m just trying to figure out why they decided to play man to man coverage on one of the best WR in country when they needed a stop.
— Michael Kowalsky (@MLKowalsky17) January 21, 2025

Of course, the hope for Notre Dame was that the zero blitz would get enough pressure on Will Howard to impact the throw and make it so the single-coverage on the outside was good enough to impact any throw. It's a massive risk to take, especially in that situation with the championship on the line, and it ended up burning Notre Dame.

The Buckeyes kicked a field goal to make it 34-23 with under a minute remaining, officially clinching the game. They will remember this game forever, while Freeman will likely think about that play call for a long time to come.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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