Notre Dame’s Remarkable Journey from Early Setback to National Championship Contender
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The world of college football is no stranger to surprises, but what happened on September 7 was a shocker that left fans and analysts alike scratching their heads. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish, ranked No. 5 at the time, suffered a stunning defeat at the hands of Northern Illinois, a team that was a 28-point underdog. This was not just any loss; it was a historic upset that saw the Irish outgained 388-286 in total yardage, with Northern Illinois converting twice as many first downs and blocking two field goals. It was a game that could have derailed Notre Dame’s season before it even got started.
Fast forward four months, and the Fighting Irish are on the brink of capturing their first national championship in 36 years. How did they turn things around? Let’s dive into the journey that has brought them to this point.
The Turning Point
After their shocking loss to Northern Illinois, Notre Dame’s season could have spiraled out of control. “It could have gone sideways fast,” admitted Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden. But instead of crumbling, the team rallied. They went on to win 13 consecutive games, including a nail-biting 27-24 victory over Penn State in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl, thanks to Mitch Jeter’s 41-yard field goal with just seven seconds left on the clock.
Now, the No. 7 Fighting Irish are set to face the winner of the semifinal between No. 5 Texas and No. 8 Ohio State in the Jan. 20 CFP National Championship presented by AT&T. It’s a remarkable turnaround for a team that was once on the brink of disaster.
Leadership and Resilience
Much of the credit for Notre Dame’s resurgence goes to head coach Marcus Freeman. At just 39 years old, Freeman has shown remarkable leadership in his first head coaching role, having taken over from Brian Kelly in December 2021. “He handled it magnificently,” said Golden. “Just being in that situation, being in that chair like that, that’s tough. There’s no escape from it, but it never got to the locker room. It never got to the team meeting room. He handled all the stress and all the pressure internally, and was the leader that we all needed at that moment.”
Freeman’s approach was not to forget the loss to Northern Illinois but to use it as a learning experience. “I often tell them, in your lowest moments you find out the most about yourself,” Freeman said. His message to the team was clear: Keep the pain. Don’t let it go. This mentality has been echoed by players like linebacker Jack Kiser, who said, “I think Coach Freeman’s message and mentality through the rest of the year kind of echoed that.”
Overcoming Adversity
The day after the Northern Illinois loss, defensive tackle Howard Cross III and quarterback Riley Leonard met with Freeman to discuss the way forward. “It’s the second game of the season,” Cross told them. “I’m not going to go belly up in the second game of the season. We need to keep pushing.”
And push they did. The Irish won their next 12 games by an average of 27.5 points, with only one game, a 31-24 victory over Louisville, being decided by fewer than 10 points. Their path to the CFP included victories over Indiana and Georgia, showcasing their resilience and determination.
Key Players and Moments
Notre Dame’s success has been a team effort, but certain players have stood out. Receiver Jordan Faison noted, “I think you learn the most about your team and the guys around you at the lowest points, and we showed who we were after that game.” The team has also had to overcome injuries to key players like All-American cornerback Benjamin Morrison and star pass rusher Rylie Mills.
In their semifinal victory over Penn State, backup quarterback Steve Angeli stepped up when Leonard was sidelined with a potential concussion. Angeli led a crucial scoring drive, completing 6 of 7 attempts for 44 yards. Leonard returned in the second half to lead the Irish on four scoring drives, including a 54-yard touchdown pass to Jaden Greathouse that tied the game at 24.
The Road Ahead
As the Fighting Irish prepare for the national championship game, they know they’ll likely be underdogs, especially if they face the high-powered Buckeyes. But this team has thrived in the face of adversity all season long. “To see how far we’ve come after the hiccup early on, just to know that we have one more guaranteed, one last one guaranteed, it’s just so exciting,” Kiser said.
Notre Dame’s journey to the national championship game is a testament to their resilience, leadership, and determination. As Coach Freeman put it, “The time you’re tested the most is when you’re at your lowest point.” The Fighting Irish have passed that test with flying colors, and now they stand just one victory away from a national title.
Originally Written by: Mark Schlabach
