In the College Football Playoff National Championship, Notre Dame faced Ohio State on Monday night. The game ended with a 34-23 victory for Ohio State, highlighting critical moments where Notre Dame’s fourth-down decisions played a pivotal role. Early in the game, Irish quarterback Riley Leonard successfully converted two fourth-and-1 plays during an impressive opening drive. However, as the match progressed, Notre Dame struggled with crucial fourth-down calls, notably failing on two attempts in the second half. These missteps, particularly a failed fake punt and a missed field goal attempt, contributed significantly to their downfall. Despite converting both two-point attempts late in the game, it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.

The initial stages of the championship saw Notre Dame making effective use of fourth downs. Riley Leonard demonstrated his agility by converting two key plays early on, helping the team score a touchdown within the first ten minutes of play. This strategic success set a promising tone. However, as the third quarter unfolded, trailing by 21 points, Notre Dame opted for a risky fake punt from their own 33-yard line. Backup quarterback Steve Angeli attempted a pass to Jordan Faison, but the receiver couldn't secure the catch. Ohio State capitalized on this mistake, extending their lead to 31-7.

Later in the game, when Notre Dame was down 31-15, they reached the Ohio State 9-yard line on fourth-and-goal. Coach Marcus Freeman decided to attempt a 27-yard field goal rather than go for the touchdown. Mitch Jeter, who had been inconsistent throughout the season due to injuries, missed the kick. Freeman later explained that he chose to reduce the deficit to 13 points instead of 16, believing it would offer a better chance at a comeback. Unfortunately, the decision didn’t pay off.

Despite these setbacks, Notre Dame managed to convert both two-point attempts late in the game. Leonard connected with Jeremiyah Love for one conversion, and Jordan Faison completed a flea-flicker to Beaux Collins for the other. These were the first successful two-point conversions for either team in the championship, showcasing Notre Dame's resilience under pressure. However, the earlier fourth-down failures ultimately sealed their fate in the contest.

Notre Dame’s offense had previously excelled on fourth downs, ranking eighth in the FBS with a 73.1% conversion rate. In contrast, Ohio State’s defense was also formidable, allowing only 41.4% of fourth-down conversions. The clash between these two statistics highlighted the importance of execution in high-pressure situations. While the Irish showed flashes of brilliance, their inability to capitalize on key moments proved decisive in their loss to Ohio State.