After starting the season with two three and outs, the Irish realize that this new look Jim Knowles defense of the Buckeyes still struggle to stop the run while overplaying the passing downs. The Irish defense starts on their heels as well and surrender a long TD pass from Stroud on the Buckeyes first offensive possession and give the Buckeyes a FG on their second series after a couple of crucial 3rd down conversions. Trailing 10-0, the Irish offense gets going with two drives of their own- mixing the run game with some short passing routes to fight back with a TD of their own. After a few swapped possessions the Irish strike again with a long pass play that takes them to halftime with a 14-10 lead.
As the game settles in the second half, each team trades TDS in the third quarter. The Buckeyes catch a break when the Irish defense blows a coverage and Stroud, showing why he is a Heisman candidate, takes full advantage of it. Trailing 24-21 the Irish revert back to their run/pass game that puts the Buckeyes on their heals. Facing a 4th and goal from the five yard line with 26 seconds left in the game, Irish OC Thomas Kevin Rees steadies his young QB Tyler Buchner, calls an RPO, and Buchner breaks right looking for Ohio native and WR Lorenzo Styles. Not to be outdone, Knowles has his defense set perfectly and Buchner feels the heat from the young but talented Buckeye DL. After eluding the first defender, Buchner keeps his head up and spots Styles streaking to the corner of the end zone. Buchner squares his shoulders as Zack Harrison closes in. Buchner, processing the events, levels his shoulder and releases the ball. Styles, covered by two defenders now, elevates as the perfectly thrown ball spirals towards him. Making one last effort Styles extends his arms and ………….