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Australian punters face off in a College Football National Championship classic

The Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23 in front of almost 80,000 in attendance at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Tuesday to claim their ninth national championship, denying Notre Dame of their fairy-tale national title hopes. 


Ohio native and NBA superstar LeBron James was one of the many high-profile celebrities in attendance that included the likes of musicians Jon Bon Jovi and Travis Scott.


Aussie punter Joe McGuire, the son of ex-Collingwood president and journalist Eddie McGuire, suited up for the Buckeyes and faced off against fellow Australian James Rendell, the son of two-time AFL All-Australian Matt Rendell. 


McGuire was only called upon once mid-way through the final term as Ohio State’s dynamic offence, led by quarterback Will Howard, was firing in all facets. McGuire held his nerve and delivered an accurate 51-yard punt that was basically unreturnable and left the Fighting Irish with little field to work with as they began a crucial drive with 6:34 remaining in the last quarter of the National Championship. 

Joe McGuire kicking his only punt in the final quarter of the National Championship for 51-yards. Video Courtesy: ESPN Australia

McGuire also featured as the special teams holder for all of the Buckeyes extra points and field goals, including a critical hold and converted field goal to give his side a two-score lead with 0:26 seconds left, which was the game-sealing moment. 


On the other side of the field, Rendell had two punts for 97 yards as his side, who was a large underdog, failed to stop the Buckeyes after scoring a touchdown on their very first drive of the game. Rendell was involved in one of the biggest plays of the game as the Fighting Irish aggressively went for a fake punt on 4th and 2 early in the second half, where they narrowly missed an open receiver on their trick play, resulting in a turnover on downs for Notre Dame.


McGuire, now a college national champion, joins Aussie punters Cameron Johnston, who featured in the Buckeyes last title in 2014, and Brett Thorson, who won his national championship against the Horned Frogs with Georgia in 2023.


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