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

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

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - JANUARY 01: Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish takes the field with his team for the start of the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – MAY 01: Jonathan Doerer #39 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish kicks a field goal in the Blue-Gold Spring Game at Notre Dame Stadium on May 01, 2021, in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

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

Field Goal Now or Field Goal Later?

4th quarter, field goal range, under 2 minutes
Notre Dame 28 Oklahoma State 37

There is some debate in college football about how to handle being down two scores, late in a game, with no timeouts. In particular, this is for when you need a touchdown and a field goal. Some people say kick the field goal right away, then go for the onside to save time. Other people will say go for the touchdown because it’s harder to get.

In the end, the decision was made for him, as a strike to Kevin Austin netted a quick score that the Irish needed. A bad onside kick meant that the decision didn’t matter either way.

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