Football: Johnson’s go-ahead, first-career touchdown helps No. 2 Ohio State overcome No. 5 Notre Dame 21-10

The No. 2 Ohio State offensive line lines up against the Notre Dame defensive front during No. 2 Ohio States 21-10 win over No. 5 Notre Dame on Sept. 3. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Junior wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) dances with his teammates prior to No. 2 Ohio States 21-10 win over No. 5 Notre Dame. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Sophomore defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) put his helmet on during No. 2 Ohio States 21-10 win over No. 5 Notre Dame on Sept. 3. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Members of the Navy parachute down to the field prior to the Ohio State-Notre Dame game. Ohio State won 21-10. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

The Ohio State football team runs onto the field prior to No. 2 Ohio States 21-10 win over No. 5 Notre Dame. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

The Ohio State football team lines up prior to the Ohio State-Notre Dame game Saturday. Ohio State won 21-10. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Third-year running back Miyan Williams (3) and third-year quarterback C.J. Stroud before the Ohio State-Notre Dame game Saturday. Ohio State won 21-10. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State junior quarterback CJ Stroud (7) walks off the field after an offensive run during the Ohio State-Notre Dame game. Ohio State won 21-10. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State sophomore defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) prepares for a play during the Ohio State-Notre Dame game Saturday. Ohio State won 21-10. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Sophomore wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) scores a touchdown during the Ohio State-Notre Dame game Saturday. Ohio State won 21-10. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Sophomore running back TreyVeyon Henderson (32) runs through a gap during No. 2 Ohio States 21-10 win over No. 5 Notre Dame on Sept. 3. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State graduate student safety Tanner McCalister (15) tackles a Notre Dame player during the Ohio State-Notre Dame game Saturday. Ohio State won 21-10. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State defense tracks down a Notre Dame player during the Ohio State-Notre Dame game Saturday. Ohio State won 21-10. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Senior linebacker Steele Chambers (22) dives forward to deflect the oncoming Notre Dame pass during No. 2 Ohio States 21-10 win over No. 5 Notre Dame on Sept. 3. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman coaches from the sidelines during the Ohio State-Notre Dame game Saturday. Ohio State won 21-10. Credit Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Senior linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (35) celebrates after a tackle during the Ohio State-Notre Dame game Saturday. Ohio State won 21-10. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day stands on the field during a time out during the Ohio State-Notre Dame game Saturday. Ohio State won 21-10. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

A member of The Ohio State Marching bands celebrates a Buckeye touchdown during No. 2 Ohio States 21-10 win over No. 5 Notre Dame on Sept. 3. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

The Ohio State football team huddles up during the Ohio State-Notre Dame game Saturday. Ohio State won 21-10. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

The Ohio State football team lines up with Brutus during Carmen Ohio after the Ohio State-Notre Dame game. Ohio State won 21-10. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Under the bright lights and surrounded by storied tradition, graduate wide receiver Xavier Johnson was the Buckeyes’ shooting star as his first-career touchdown helped No. 2 Ohio State defeat No. 5 Notre Dame 21-10 Saturday.

Johnson caught a 24-yard pass over the middle to put Ohio State ahead 14-10 with 17 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Third-year running back Miyan Williams added insurance with a two-yard rushing score with just under five minutes to go in the fourth.

The Buckeyes’ offense stalled in the opening half of the game, totaling 149 yards which included 50 on the ground. Graduate kicker Noah Ruggles missed a 39-yard field goal try, his first of the season, with 36 seconds left in the second quarter after missing just once in 2021.

Notre Dame controlled the ball in the first half, scoring in both its trips to the red zone and totaling 181 yards of offense. Fighting Irish second-year quarterback Tyler Buchner averaged 16 yards among his eight completions by halftime.

Third-year quarterback C.J. Stroud finished with 223 passing yards and two touchdowns through the air. 

Knowles’ new defense

Ohio State expects a defense that ranks among the best in college football.

Despite Buchner seeing through a blitz and completing a 54-yard pass to second-year wide receiver Lorenzo Styles on the first offensive play of the game, Ohio State’s defense played a tale of two halves against the Fighting Irish.

Ohio State allowed 10 points in the first half but held Notre Dame scoreless in the second.

Fourth-year linebacker Tommy Eichenberg recorded two sacks to lead the Buckeyes defense. 

Star power

In front of over 106,000 fans, numerous Buckeye alumni filled the stands at Ohio Stadium.

Among the returning football alumni included members of the 2002 team, which was recognized for the 20th anniversary of its national championship-winning season. Former head coach Jim Tressel led the group, and recent former Buckeyes present included quarterback Joe Burrow, running back Ezekiel Elliott, cornerback Jeff Okudah, wide receiver Chris Olave and defensive end Chase Young.

Akron native and current Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James also returned to Ohio Stadium as his son Bronny James  visited campus as a prospective basketball recruit.

Up Next

The Buckeyes will next play Arkansas State Sept. 10 as they continue their five-game home stand to start the 2022 season.