Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman makes major admission about loss to Buckeyes in National Championship Game

Although some time has passed since the conclusion of the last National Championship Game, many are still left wondering what could have been done differently to change the outcome. That includes Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman, who is hungry for redemption after the loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes.

The team, led on the field at the time by quarterback Riley Leonard, could do little against the dominance of their opponent, ultimately ending an impressive season empty-handed after the title game.

During a recent conversation with Joel Klatt on Big Noon Conversations, the veteran HC shared his thoughts on the game, openly admitting that their opponent was the better team and that Notre Dame could have done more on the defensive side of the ball.

“You know, I think, in those biggest games, those biggest moments, you’ve got to play your best, right. You can’t make mistakes, not versus a team like Ohio State,” said Freeman.

Mitchell Evans #88 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish runs with the ball as Jordan Hancock #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on during the fourth quarter in the 2025 CFP National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia.

“You think about the first drive on offense? I think it was a 19-play drive. We execute, we’re physical. We go down and we score. Defensively, we didn’t play our best, right. And, trust me, credit to Ohio State. They had some elite playmakers. They played really, really well.”

see also

NCAAF News: Marcus Freeman hints at revolutionary changes in Notre Dame after Riley Leonard’s departure

Turning back time

Freeman has led a well-rounded and solid team that managed to reach the College Football National Championship Game. Unfortunately for them, the flow of the game and the final result didn’t go their way, despite a determined effort from the squad.

Turning back time is physically impossible, but if it were, it’s an option the talented head coach likely wouldn’t mind — especially to make a few key adjustments during the game against the Buckeyes.

“I wish we’d go back and, dang it, we’ve got to play our best. And, the outcome might still be the same, right, but there was moments in that game, I thought that’s not how we have played all year long,” Freeman said.

“And, so, for me, I think about that game and I say, okay, you know, listen, we fought to the very end, right. You’re down 21, I think, at half or something like that, 14 or 21. And it was an eight-point game in the fourth quarter. And, this group isn’t going to quit ever, ever.”