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:

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 t

he 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.