In the somber aftermath of Notre Dame’s valiant 34-23 defeat at the hands of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff national championship game, head coach Marcus Freeman stepped forward to shoulder the responsibility. Flanked by his visibly emotional team captains, quarterback Riley Leonard and linebacker Jack Kiser, Freeman reflected on the missed opportunities and uncharacteristic breakdowns that ultimately sealed the Fighting Irish’s fate on the sport’s biggest stage.
A Season of Triumphs and One Bitter Defeat
The loss snapped Notre Dame’s impressive 13-game winning streak, marking their first taste of defeat since a September stumble against Northern Illinois. It was a bitter pill to swallow for a team that had captured the hearts of fans with their gritty performances and unwavering determination throughout the season.
Promising Start Fizzles Out
The championship clash began promisingly for the Fighting Irish, with Leonard orchestrating an 18-play, 75-yard scoring drive capped by his own rushing touchdown. However, the offensive momentum proved fleeting, as Notre Dame struggled to find consistency in the passing game.
We couldn’t run Riley every play. It’s not right for Riley, and it’s not going to sustain the success we needed offensively.
Coach Marcus Freeman on Notre Dame’s offensive struggles
Miscues and Missed Chances
Freeman pointed to a series of miscues that repeatedly stymied Notre Dame’s progress. Penalties, miscommunication, and a critical muffed snap before halftime disrupted the offensive rhythm and prevented the Irish from keeping pace with Ohio State’s high-powered attack.
- Costly penalties derailed promising drives
- Breakdowns in communication led to missed assignments
- Inability to sustain offensive momentum after strong start
Defensive Struggles and Pivotal Plays
The Notre Dame defense, which had been a strength all season, struggled to contain Ohio State’s dynamic offense. Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard dissected the Irish secondary, completing his first 13 passes and consistently finding open receivers.
The turning point came late in the fourth quarter, with Ohio State clinging to a tenuous lead. Facing third-and-long deep in their own territory, Howard connected with freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith for a backbreaking 56-yard completion that all but sealed the Buckeyes’ victory.
It was do or die. It was that type of down. If they run it and they get a 1st down — we’ve got to get them stopped, and we thought at that moment the best way to get them stopped is to run zero pressure.
Coach Freeman on the pivotal third-down conversion
Heartfelt Reflection and Future Promise
Amidst the heartache of defeat, the bond between Freeman and his players shone through. Kiser, a sixth-year senior, fought back tears as he reflected on his Notre Dame journey and the indelible impact of the relationships forged along the way.
For Freeman, the loss served as a stark reminder of the work that lies ahead. Yet even in defeat, he found solace in the character and resilience of his team, confident that the future remains bright for Notre Dame football.
You sit up here and you listen to these two guys speak and the passion they have for Notre Dame and each other in that locker room, I’m just sitting here listening like this is one of the greatest gifts in life is to be able to be the leader of this program because you have great young people like this that share the blame — share the success when you win and own the blame when you lose.
Coach Freeman on the character of his team
As the Fighting Irish begin the process of turning the page and setting their sights on the future, the lessons of this CFP defeat will undoubtedly fuel their fire. With Freeman at the helm and a roster brimming with talent and determination, Notre Dame stands poised to learn, grow, and come back stronger than ever.
The sting of this loss will linger, but so too will the pride in a season of triumphs and the unwavering belief in the program’s direction. For Notre Dame football, the best is surely yet to come.
