How Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman Explained Questionable Late-Game Decision
Marcus Freeman pointed to “probability” when he explained the decision, but he could’ve benefited more from practicality.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach signed off on a questionable late-game decision against the Ohio State State Buckeyes on Monday night. The College Football Playoff National Championship Game might’ve played out differently if Freeman and the Irish made a different call.
“I just thought instead of being down 16, let’s try and go down 13,” Freeman told reporters after Notre Dame’s 34-23 loss per CBS Sports.
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The Irish faced a fourth-and-goal from the Ohio State 9-yard line with 9:27 remaining. If Notre Dame went for it and scored, it would have cut their 31-15 deficit with a successful two-point attempt making it a one-possession game.
Freeman instead opted for a 27-yard field goal and Notre Dame’s Mitch Jeter sent the kick off the left upright.
“I know it’s still a two-score game, but you have a better probability of getting 14 points than you do 16 points,” Freeman continued. “If it was a shorter fourth-and-goal situation, I probably would have gone for it, but I just felt that fourth-and-9 was not a great chance for us to make that.”
It was even more perplexing given the Irish went for and converted a two-point conversion to cap their previous touchdown drive. At that time, Freeman made a wise decision since it made it a two-possession game despite the fact the Fighting Irish struggled to move the ball consistently. Four of their first five drives were four plays or fewer.
ESPN’s broadcast crew, fellow media members and football fans couldn’t believe Freeman’s decision to kick it rather than go for it on fourth-and-9. Many let him hear it on social media.
The Buckeyes, who scored touchdowns on each of their first four drives, ultimately did enough to fend off the Fighting Irish, who cut it to one possession with 4:15 remaining.
Freeman’s decision, though, might linger among Fighting Irish fans after an otherwise successful season.