Notre Dame-Ohio State game sets ESPN ratings record
Notre Dame’s 21-10 loss to Ohio State on Saturday night was one of the most-watched regular season games in years. Approximately 10.5 million people tuned in to watch the Irish face Ohio State in Columbus.
According to ESPN, it’s the most-watched regular season game on any ESPN network since 2017. It’s also the 2nd-largest audience for a Week 1 Saturday game — for any network — on record.
Overall, it was ESPN’s most-watched kickoff weekend since. 2016. Here’s that announcement from ESPN:
The first weekend of @ESPNCFB DELIVERED
🏈 Most-watched Kickoff Weekend since '16
🏈 #NDvsOSU becomes the most-watched Week 1 Saturday game since '17
🏈 Big superlatives for #FSUvsLSU & #OREvsUGAComplete viewership coming later Wednesday pic.twitter.com/O2UBKLEAKD
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) September 7, 2022
Notre Dame played well, limiting the Buckeyes to just 7 points until the final moments of the third quarter. Ohio State separated itself with a 14-play, 95-yard drive effectively end the game in the final stanza.
Notre Dame’s offense struggled in the second half, particularly when it had to throw the ball. Quarterback Tyler Buchner completed just 2 passes in the second half.
Buchner was making his first start since his junior year of high school — his senior year was lost due to COVID-19. He finished 10-of-18 for 177 yards.
Notre Dame hosts Marshall in Week 2. That game will be broadcast on NBC.