Marcus Freeman was a major factor in the Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s national championship run. After an early-season loss to Northern Illinois, the Irish had been unstoppable, riding a 13-game winning streak that finally ended Monday, Jan. 20.
Riley Leonard and company gave their best effort to tame the Ohio State Buckeyes, but Ryan Day’s squad showcased its prowess in the second half, ultimately taking the game from Notre Dame.
Marcus Freeman Takes Ownership of Team’s Mistakes
Notre Dame’s gameplay had a few weaknesses that Ohio State exploited. Even though Leonard delivered accurate passes, the offense struggled to establish the run against a Jack Sawyer-led defense.
Meanwhile, quarterback Will Howard and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith led an explosive Buckeyes offense that created a massive deficit, making it nearly impossible for Notre Dame to rally. Ohio State’s unstoppable 31-point run in the second to third quarters proved decisive.
YOUR 2024 CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONS: THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES 🏆 pic.twitter.com/d2WV4FDqvx
— ESPN (@espn) January 21, 2025
After the game, head coach Marcus Freeman acknowledged the mistakes that cost his team a historic national championship.
“You’re always making mistakes, but those types of detrimental mistakes when you play a really, really good football team cost you points,” Freeman said, per ESPN.
“I think that’s probably the biggest thing that has stuck out to me even in between series, the communication. ‘Hey, we’re good, we got it.’ Well, we can’t make mistakes. It falls on my shoulders. And as the head coach, we have to prepare and be better prepared for this moment. These guys gave everything they got,” he added.
Notre Dame last won a national championship in 1988. After a breakout season, many experts and analysts predicted Freeman would hoist the golden trophy in 2025.
With Leonard leading the offense and handling clutch moments with poise, the national title seemed within reach. However, Day’s Buckeyes proved too formidable. For Notre Dame, Jeremiyah Love, Xavier Watts, Benjamin Morrison, Rylie Mills, and Howard Cross III emerged as key playmakers.
KEEP READING: Smith Claps Back at Notre Dame Fan After Ohio State’s National Championship Win
Leonard, who played his senior year for the Irish, is projected to be a mid-round prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft.
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