Editor’s note: Keep up with live updates, scores, and highlights from the Ohio State vs. Notre Dame national championship game.

Sometimes, coaches can get carried away trying to be clever, overlooking straightforward decisions.

This happened during the second half of the Notre Dame and Ohio State championship matchup. On a fourth-and-2 play from their own 33-yard line, the Fighting Irish opted for a fake punt while trailing 28-7.

It was unexpected to see the punt team on the field in such a crucial short-yardage situation, and it was even more shocking to witness a fake in such an obvious context. Backup quarterback Steve Angeli’s pass intended for Jordan Faison ended up incomplete; the ball slipped through Faison’s hands as he tried to make a diving catch.

Though it almost worked, the confusion that comes with a fake punt often complicates plays that should be straightforward.

On the next drive, Notre Dame’s defense held strong against the Buckeyes, forcing them to settle for a field goal, bringing the score to 31-7 in favor of Ohio State. Notre Dame managed to score on their next series, including a successful two-point conversion, narrowing the gap to a two-possession game—making that missed opportunity for three points in the third quarter even more significant.