How Kyle McCord, Buckeyes offense moved down field on Notre Dame in final seconds

COLUMBUS — Ohio State had one timeout and 65 yards to go. It had 86 seconds remaining.

By now, you all know the drive, how it unfolded and how it ended.

But after watching it for the umpteenth time, Lettermen Row is putting together a comprehensive breakdown of the four key throws that moved Ohio State down the field on Notre Dame — and put inexperienced quarterback Kyle McCord into Buckeyes lore with his late-game heroics.

“To win the game in the two-minute drill, that’s what great quarterbacks do,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “And for his first top-10 road game, to be put in that situation and come through, says a lot about his future. I mean, there were some big-time throws in there. Hung in there. He’s poised. And what a great win for our program. But yeah for Kyle to come into that spot, that’s big.”

But it wasn’t just McCord. The Ohio State wide receivers showed why all three of them who caught passes on the final drive were four- or five-star prospects. And when the offensive line needed to give McCord time to uncork laser throws to those receivers, they got the job done.

All of it led to the 1-yard touchdown run by Chip Trayanum in the final seconds. But that wasn’t possible without a quarterback growing up and having his first major moment for the Buckeyes — and the entire offense coming together when it was needed the most.

Let’s break it down.

1:18 remaining — 3rd and 10 from the Ohio State 35

Result: Kyle McCord completes 23-yard pass to Emeka Egbuka

Ohio State faced the first of its crunch-time plays early in the drive. After two incompletions to TreVeyon Henderson to open the drive, McCord took a shotgun snap and the offensive line gave him enough time to find Egbuka on the left hash for a completion down the middle of the field. Emeka Egbuka pressed outside before cutting toward the middle of the field, creating just enough separation to show his numbers and allow McCord to find him in space. That conversion set the tone for the other three clutch throws from McCord — and incredible plays by the wide receivers.

:51 remaining — 4th and 7 from the Notre Dame 39

Result: Kyle McCord completes 7-yard pass to Julian Fleming

After an incomplete deep shot, a check-down throw to Cade Stover for 3 yards and an incompletion forced by the Notre Dame pressure, McCord and the Ohio State offense faced a 4th down. Pick it up, extend the game. Fail, and the game is over. The Buckeyes picked up just enough to keep their hopes alive. Yet again, the offensive line that had its share of struggles Saturday night gave McCord just enough time when it mattered. And senior wide receiver Julian Fleming emerged over the middle, dragging across the field from his outside spot in the bunched formation. They needed 7. And they got 7. It was a clutch moment from the inexperienced quarterback and his former-five-star wide receiver.

:37 remaining — 2nd and 10 from the Notre Dame 32

Result: Kyle McCord completes 19-yard pass to Marvin Harrison Jr.

Marvin Harrison Jr. revealed early last week that he was operating throughout the entire 2022 season on an injured ankle. And Saturday night, he made a play with an injured ankle yet again. Notre Dame double-teamed Harrison, and it didn’t matter. He found an opening in between four defenders, and McCord threw one of his best passes of the day, a 19-yard rip to Harrison for a critical chunk play that set up the final sequence for the Buckeyes. Harrison laid out and made the diving catch. That’s just a quarterback and wide receiver showing off their chemistry — and overall talent level winning out.

:15 remaining — 3rd and 19 from the Notre Dame 22

Result: Kyle McCord completes 21-yard pass to Emeka Egbuka

The biggest throw of the night is too obvious, but it’s worth revisiting. Of course the Buckeyes only got in that third-and-long situation because McCord took an intentional grounding penalty. But he made up for it in the biggest way possible. Notre Dame declined to pressure McCord, only rushing three defenders and dropping eight into coverage. But the talented Ohio State offense still found a throwing lane and some open space to operate. McCord delivered a bullet to the chest of Egbuka between three defenders, giving Ohio State a first down and time to operate inside the 1-yard line. It was the defining moment of an up-and-down night for McCord, who turned and handed off to Chip Trayanum for the game-winning touchdown run two plays later.

And with just four throws — big throws — Kyle McCord grew up in a big way inside Notre Dame Stadium on Saturday night. And the Buckeyes offense will be much better for the game-winning two-minute drill it executed to move to 4-0 on the year.

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