The five plays that loomed large in Notre Dame’s 26-21 loss to Marshall

It’s not just scoring plays and turnovers (although the final play in this article is one) that make or break a football game. There are hidden plays that ultimately make a big difference in the outcome. For Notre Dame, there were plenty of plays that kept them in the game, but ultimately couldn’t defeat Marshall in Notre Dame Stadium. Here are the five hidden plays from the Irish’s 26-21 loss to the Thundering Herd that helped decide the outcome.

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1st quarter, 10:00 left on the clock

The Irish face a third-and-8 and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees gives Tyler Buchner no help as he splits everyone out wide. Buchner deals with pressure and finds wide receiver Jayden Thomas for 9-yards to move the chains. Although the Irish wouldn’t score on the drive, it was good to see Buchner get some confidence on third-down.

1st quarter, 5:07 left on the clock

The Thundering Herd are driving and are faced with a fourth-and-one decision. It was a quick one as they tried to rush to the line, but the referee’s hold up their momentum. After a quick pause, safety Brandon Joseph comes flying off the edge to make the tackle for no gain. Again the Irish don’t do anything on the ensuing drive but they’re showing signs of life on defense.

2nd quarter, 4:45 left on the clock

The Irish have looks bad but there is still plenty of time for them to take the lead before the half. Rees gets the drive going with a Buchner run to the right side for 13-yards. The Irish would then march down the field with Buchner again running it in from two-yards out. In just 5 plays spanning 56-yards taking up 2:03 off the clock, Notre Dame takes their first lead of the game, 7-6.

3rd quarter, 2:24 left on the clock

The Irish are struggling and Marshall just extended their lead to 12-7 with another field goal. Buchner, on the play before, looked for Michael Mayer and drew a pass interference. Buchner went back to the well, this time finding Mayer for a 28-yard gain. The offense would find the end zone and give Notre Dame a 15-12 lead early in the fourth quarter.

4th quarter, 4:01 left on the clock

One too many runs for Buchner finds him on the sideline holding his left shoulder. In comes back-up Drew Pyne and on his second attempt, he throws an interception in what would virtually seal the upset for Marshall. Not how the Irish saw this one playing out at all.

Story originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire