Though the release of the first College Football Playoff rankings remains many weeks away, Ohio State's postseason resume has already taken some damage after Notre Dame suffered a stunning upset to Marshall at home by a score of 26-21.
The Fighting Irish allowed the Thundering Herd to take the lead going into the half by kicking a field goal with 15 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Marshall added another field goal in the next period, but Notre Dame recaptured the lead early in the fourth before relenting a first touchdown of the game to their opponents with just over five minutes remaining.
On the next possession, Tyler Buchner threw a pick six that ultimately sealed the fate of the Fighting Irish.
BSKEBRJDGEKBDODBROEBEOEBROEJ MARSHALL PICK SIX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/IXFMYAUgNf
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthewCFB) September 10, 2022
Despite a late replacement of Buchner in favor of backup quarterback Drew Pyne, Notre Dame's comeback bid fell short, and Marshall sealed the game in victory formation to the chagrin of South Bend.
Marcus Freeman has yet to win a game at Notre Dame, and becomes the first head coach in Fighting Irish history to lose the first three games of their tenure. Only Lou Holtz in 1986 and Hugh Devore in 1963 shared distinction as new Notre Dame coaches to lose their first two games at the helm of the golden domers.
Notre Dame hosts California at home next weekend, but will have a pair of tough opponents afterwards against a North Carolina squad that scored 63 points on Appalachian State last week, followed by a BYU team currently ranked 21st overall. It now seems quite likely the previously top-5 Fighting Irish could find themselves with a 1-4 record heading into the middle of October.
