It was the game that felt like it was finally going to change the narrative. For decades, the shadow of 1988 has loomed over South Bend like an unshakeable ghost. Then came the Notre Dame playoff game on January 20, 2025—the National Championship in Atlanta. It wasn't just another bowl appearance. It was the moment Marcus Freeman’s squad looked the college football world in the eye and refused to blink, even if the scoreboard eventually told a different story.
You’ve probably seen the final score: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 23. But honestly, if you only look at the numbers, you’re missing the actual drama that unfolded under the lights of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Night the Irish Almost Caught Lighting
The atmosphere in Atlanta was basically a home game for the Buckeyes, but the Irish fans showed up in a way that felt different. This wasn't the "just happy to be here" crowd from the 2012 BCS blowout or the 2018 Cotton Bowl. There was a weird, electric confidence.
Notre Dame started like a house on fire. Riley Leonard, the Duke transfer who became the heart of this team, marched them 75 yards on the opening drive. It took nearly ten minutes off the clock. 18 plays. Think about that. They basically squeezed the life out of the first quarter before Ohio State even touched the ball. When Leonard punched it in from a yard out, it felt like the Irish were finally the ones doing the bullying.
Then, the second quarter happened.
A Brutal Three-Touchdown Blitz
Ohio State has this way of making you feel safe and then scoring three times before you’ve even finished your overpriced stadium nachos. Will Howard found Jeremiah Smith—who is basically a human cheat code—for an 8-yard score to tie it. Then Quinshon Judkins started doing Quinshon Judkins things.
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The Buckeyes dropped 21 unanswered points in the second quarter.
Notre Dame went into the locker room down 21-7, and for a second, every fan in blue and gold felt that familiar sinking feeling. "Here we go again," right? Usually, this is where the Irish fold. But Marcus Freeman doesn't really do the "folding" thing.
Riley Leonard and the Second Half Surge
What most people get wrong about this Notre Dame playoff game is the idea that it was a blowout. It wasn't. It was a 31-7 game in the third quarter that somehow turned into a one-score thriller in the blink of an eye.
Riley Leonard finished the night with 255 passing yards, which is actually more than Will Howard had for the Buckeyes. He wasn't perfect, but he was gutsy. After falling behind by 24 points, Leonard found Jaden Greathouse for a 34-yard touchdown. They went for two and got it. Then, late in the fourth, Greathouse caught another one—a 30-yard beauty—and suddenly it was 31-23.
The stadium was shaking. The Irish were a defensive stop and a touchdown away from one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the sport.
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The Jeremiah Smith Dagger
Football is a game of inches, but sometimes it’s just a game of having better athletes. On a crucial third-and-11 with the Irish closing in, Will Howard threw a prayer to Jeremiah Smith. 56 yards. That was the game.
Ohio State tacked on a field goal, the clock ran out, and the Irish fell just short of their 12th national title.
Why This Notre Dame Playoff Game Matters More Than the Loss
Look, losing sucks. There’s no way around it. But for a program that has spent the last 30 years being called "overrated" every time they reach the postseason, this 2025 run was a massive middle finger to the critics.
- The Path was Brutal: They didn't stumble into the final. They beat Indiana 27-17 in the first round at home. They went to New Orleans and took down No. 2 Georgia 23-10 in the Sugar Bowl—a game where the Irish defense looked like the 1985 Bears.
- The Semifinal Heartstopper: They beat Penn State 27-24 in the Orange Bowl on a field goal with seven seconds left.
- The Identity Shift: This wasn't a "soft" Notre Dame team. They out-hit people. They ran the ball. They played with a swagger that Marcus Freeman has spent three years building.
If you’re a fan, you’re probably still hurting from that January night in Atlanta. But the reality is that Notre Dame proved they belong in the 12-team playoff era. They aren't just a "big name" team that sells tickets; they are a roster that can beat anyone in the country on a neutral site.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The fallout from this game has been wild. Riley Leonard headed to the NFL (the Colts took him in the sixth round), and Al Golden left for the pros. The 2025 season actually ended on a bit of a sour note—an 10-2 record that saw them snubbed from the 2026 playoff bracket despite 10 straight double-digit wins to close the year.
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Marcus Freeman recently spoke about this, saying the team needs to "leave no doubt" so they aren't at the mercy of a selection committee. They chose to opt out of a bowl game this year to focus on the future. It’s a bold move. It’s a very Notre Dame move.
Real Actions for the Irish Faithful
If you’re trying to keep up with how the program is evolving after that championship run, here is what you actually need to do:
- Watch the 2025 Spring Game closely: With Leonard gone, the quarterback battle between the younger guys is the only thing that matters right now.
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: Freeman has been aggressive here. The Irish are no longer just "developing" four-year guys; they are hunting for immediate impact players to get back to the title game.
- Ignore the "Independent" Noise: People will keep saying Notre Dame needs to join a conference to win it all. Ignore them. The 2025 run proved the path is there for an Independent—you just have to win the games that matter.
The 2025 Notre Dame playoff game wasn't the end of a journey. It was a proof of concept. The Irish are back in the conversation, and for the first time in a long time, they actually look like they belong there.
Stay tuned to the recruiting cycles this spring. The 2026 class is shaping up to be one of the best in recent history, specifically on the defensive line. If Freeman can keep stacking talent like he did for the 2025 run, the "Leave No Doubt" mantra won't just be a locker room slogan—it'll be a reality.
Check the official Notre Dame athletics site for the latest spring practice schedule and keep an eye on the defensive coordinator search. That hire will determine if the Irish defense can repeat their 2025 dominance.