Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BY ANDREW OWENS T wo plays into the second Ohio State drive of the Fiesta Bowl, Notre Dame star linebacker Jay- lon Smith laid on the University of Phoenix Stadium grass writhing in pain. The junior had suffered a significant knee injury and became yet another member of the Irish roster lost to injury this season. Consequently, Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett, running back Ezekiel Elliott and the other Buckeyes playmakers proved to be too much for the porous Irish defense. In the end, another major bowl game appearance represented another disap- pointment for Notre Dame, this time in a 44-28 defeat at the hands of Ohio State. Head coach Urban Meyer 's squad jumped ahead immediately, resembling the group that dominated Michigan 42-13 in the final game of the regular season, not the one that struggled dur- ing much of the regular season and lost 17-14 at home against Michigan State to end its College Football Playoff hopes. The Buckeyes (12-1) reached the end zone on four of its five drives in the first half, not including the final one when they let the clock expire before halftime. "I thought they ran the ball effec- tively," head coach Brian Kelly said. "Obviously, their first series was out- standing. They ran the ball effectively right down the field. … They executed very well early on. "It was the difference in the game, those 14 points early. We had to play catch-up from there." The Irish (10-3), who have been plagued by injuries throughout the season, were even more depleted in the desert. Smith was lost to injury two series into the game and his replace- ment, freshman Te'von Coney, later left with a shoulder injury as well. Those two joined the likes of senior cornerback KeiVarae Russell and junior cornerback Devin Butler lost to injury, as well as junior safety Max Redfield and freshman defensive lineman Jerry Tillery, both of whom were suspended for the game due to a violation of team rules. "I felt like this game would ulti- mately be decided on who was tougher and who was more physical," Kelly said. "We didn't get out-toughed. They LEFT IN THE DUST A major bowl again leads to disappointment, with Notre Dame falling 44-28 to Ohio State