Notre Dame football: Marcus Freeman's key decisions in the Fiesta Bowl

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Jan 1, 2022; Glendale, AZ, USA; Notre Dame’s Jack Coan (17) throws during the 2022 Playstation Fiesta Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Mandatory Credit: Michael Caterina/South Bend Tribune-USA TODAY Sports /

Notre Dame football: Breaking down Marcus Freeman’s key decisions in the Fiesta Bowl

Going For It On 4th Down

4th Quarter, 4th and 7, 2:44 remaining
Notre Dame 28 Oklahoma State 34

Notre Dame football had forced a second fumble within the twenty-yard line to try and stay alive in this game. The offense rewarded that by doing nothing with the ball and setting up 4th and 7. The ball was on the Notre Dame 14 yard line. Marcus Freeman chose to go for it.

The thought process is that the defense is exhausted, and you can’t bank on another stop. You’d rather keep it in your 5th-year senior quarterback’s hands.

Well, it didn’t work. Pressure forced Coan to scramble, and he tried a wild pass to Kevin Austin. It failed. Oklahoma State added 3 quickly to make it a two-score game. So, the decision didn’t work. I don’t think it’s fair to say it was the wrong decision, though. At that point in the game, one first down and they can kneel on the ball.

The defense had been so gassed that getting a three and out was far from a sure thing. So, you get aggressive. It’s a shame it didn’t work.

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