The huge showdown between 6th-ranked Ohio State and 9th-ranked Notre Dame on Saturday night lived up to the hype as it came down to the closing seconds.

It was a tight and relatively low-scoring game that had Notre Dame with the lead 14-10 late in the fourth quarter. Ohio State got the ball with about 1:30 left and needed to gain 65 yards to get into the end zone.

On the final drive, Ohio State converted a key 4th and 7 and then shortly after with 15 seconds left in the game, completed a pass on 3rd and 19 that got them down inside the one-yard line.

Ohio State was then unable to score on the first two downs which set up a 3rd down and goal with three seconds left. Buckeyes running back, Chip Trayanum, took the handoff right up the middle into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown!

This was a thrilling way for Ohio State to get the win on the road in South Bend. Notre Dame’s defense let them down on the final drive, including the final play, and the craziest part of it is that they only had ten players on the field. That’s right, they were down one defensive lineman and Trayanum was able to run right where the gap in Notre Dame’s defense was.

It’s tough enough to stop a running back on the goal line, and even tougher when you’re undermanned and don’t have your defense at full strength. Notre Dame had the ability to have a complete defense with 11 players, but instead left themselves vulnerable as they allowed Ohio State’s rushing attack to penetrate the opening they gave them.

It was a costly mistake for Notre Dame to be without the full power of a fortified defensive front as they limited their ability to stop the Buckeyes on the game-deciding play.

We can laugh at and criticize Notre Dame’s coaches and players, but I’d rather use this situation as a reminder for us to fortify and maximize our “defensive front” every day.

As followers of Jesus, we will often be under attack by the enemy who is looking for ways we are vulnerable, unprepared, and unaware. That’s why we have to be diligent about not being “undermanned” and not at full strength.

The Bible encourages us to put on the FULL armor of God and that way we won’t allow a gap or an opening when we’re attacked, but we’ll have a complete defense to “get the stop” as temptation strikes.

Ephesians 6:10-17 (AMP) says, “In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

“Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.”

Today, let’s not limit our ability to “defend” by trying to fight the attacks in our own strength which leaves us “undermanned” and not properly equipped. Instead, let’s stand firm and hold our ground at “the goal line” with the full strength and power available from God.

I’m Bryce Johnson, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please help me understand the importance of putting on my full armor every day. Show me how to do that properly so that I can be at full strength and power when the inevitable attacks and temptations come my way. I need You and Your help to stand firm. Please show me the areas in which I’m vulnerable and thank you for being willing to give me the necessary defense. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.