Notre Dame players were angry after their loss to Ohio State in the title game. But there was motivation after its College Football Playoff run.

Then, for the biggest play of the game, Notre Dame decided to leave Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith on an island. It was third and 12 and the Fighting Irish would get the ball back with a stop with a chance to tie the game. Smith completely burned his defender and he was wide open for a huge gain, and he iced the game.

One Notre Dame football player that improved their draft stock during Monday's national championship game is quarterback Riley Leonard. Leonard didn't have a big season by any means, but he did play a good game against Ohio State as he was 22-31 for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Leonard was a big part of the comeback.

The Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish, two of the most storied programs in the sport’s history, lock horns on Monday night in the College Football Playoff National Championship. Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Ga.)

SportsLine's model simulated Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2025 CFP National Championship game 10,000 times

The Buckeyes beat the Fighting Irish 34-23 to win the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, their first national championship since the 2014 season

Ohio State's ninth matchup against Notre Dame will decide whether or not the Buckeyes claim their ninth National Championship

College Football Playoff national championship game odds, predictions, picks for Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs Ohio State Buckeyes on Monday, Jan. 20.

The Associated Press Ohio State’s run to its first national championship in a decade enabled the Buckeyes to dominate the Associated Press’ all-College Football Playoff team. The AP changed the way it put together its postseason all-star teams this season as college football introduced an expanded 12-team playoff that had some schools playing as many

Losing to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff national championship is bad enough, but losing, 34-23, and looking overmatched in the process ... well, that wasn't good.

Al Golden agreed to return to Cincinnati on Wednesday after three seasons as Notre Dame's defensive coordinator, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the decision has not been announced. More: 3 Wolverines, 3 ex-Spartans make ESPN list of top 100 college football players from '24-25