In the College Football Playoff National Championship game, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman faced criticism for opting to attempt a field goal on a fourth-and-goal from the 9-yard line while trailing Ohio State 31-15 in the fourth quarter. The decision was questioned, especially after kicker Mitchell Jeter missed the field goal, leaving the deficit unchanged.
Freeman defended his choice, stating that reducing the deficit to 13 points would have improved their chances compared to remaining 16 points behind. He explained that if the situation had been a shorter fourth-and-goal, he might have chosen to go for the touchdown, but given the 9-yard distance, he believed the field goal was the better option.
