An already injury-plagued, suspension-hampered and inconsistent defense lined up against Ohio State on Friday in the Fiesta Bowl. The Irish promptly lost star linebacker Jaylon Smith to a gruesome knee injury on the Buckeyes’ second drive and his backup on the following drive.
In a game many expected to be a shootout, Ohio State powered to a 44-28 win and nearly 500 yards of total offense.
Injuries don’t tell the entire story, neither of Notre Dame’s 10-3 season nor the bowl-game loss. The objective isn’t merely to lament them.