As the Ohio State Football Team rushed the field and red confetti fell from the rafters within Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Fighting Irish gathered in their corner of the stadium with the rest of the Irish Faithful singing “Notre Dame, Our Mother.” Despite an inspirational comeback from a special team, the Irish fell to the Buckeyes 34-23 in the first ever 12-team CFP National Championship in Atlanta, Georgia. From one of the most embarrassing losses in college football history to Northern Illinois in September to the Irish’s first CFP National Championship appearance in January, the season is one fans will never forget.
Iconic plays in the CFP like Jeremiyah Love’s touchdown run against the Hoosiers, Riley Leonard’s game-sealing hurdle against the Bulldogs, Mitch Jeter’s redemption against the Nittany Lions, and Jaden Greathouse’s determination against the Buckeyes, these all showed this Irish team’s identity: fight, grit, and perseverance. Their identity was driven by the inspirational speeches of Marcus Freeman, who continues to rise as one of the best college football coaches in America.
After the Northern Illinois loss in September, people were calling for Freeman’s job; however, the Irish were left in a similar situation under Freeman in the 2022 CFB season. The Irish had lost another embarrassing home game to the Thundering Herd of Marshall in September, but ended up dismantling the Clemson Tigers in November, which was known as Freeman’s “signature win.” This year, Freeman had about four “signature wins” (Texas A&M, Indiana, Georgia, Penn State) on his way to leading the Irish to their first National Championship game of the CFP era.
As the Buckeye faithful celebrated their National Title on the field and the Irish players slowly walked to their locker room, Marcus Freeman stayed to watch the trophy ceremony. Freeman was a linebacker for the Buckeyes from 2004-2008, so he still has a lot of love for his college university. However, Freeman also stayed to remember this feeling for his Irish team that is poised to return to this moment in years to come. Jaden Greathouse, who looks poised for a breakout year at the wide receiver position next year, says this loss will “stick” with the Irish like the NIU loss. Greathouse said he’s “already thinking about next year and how he needs to dominate.” With a taste of the National Title within the Irish, the team is hungry to get back. Notre Dame’s 2025-2026 season starts with a bang at the University of Miami on Labor Day, against newly instated Carson Beck, which provides the Irish with a major challenge to what they hope is a long season once again.
