Notre Dame had insult added to injury right after Ohio State beat them in the National Championship
Ohio State and Notre Dame matching up in the National Championship was a battle between two of the bigger college football brands. Both teams played 16 games seasons and ended with 14-2 records. It was Ohio State that won in the final game, 34-23, to end a decade-long title drought. Following the result of the […]
Ohio State and Notre Dame matching up in the National Championship was a battle between two of the bigger college football brands.
Both teams played 16 games seasons and ended with 14-2 records. It was Ohio State that won in the final game, 34-23, to end a decade-long title drought.
Following the result of the National Championship, Notre Dame was hit with some more bad news.
Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden is leaving the Fighting Irish to take the job as the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator.
Ohio State put up 34 points on the Fighting Irish and scored on their first four drives. However, Notre Dame pitched one of the best defenses in college football the rest of the way.
“It wasn't the best way for Golden to go out, but Notre Dame had arguably the nation's best defense during the first 15 games of the year under Golden's tutelage. His unit played with cohesiveness and his scheme was simple for his players to follow and tough for opponents to decipher. Those are qualities the Bengals were coveting upon firing Lou Anarumo earlier this month.” — John Sheeran, A to Z Sports Cincinnati
Golden is no doubt a big loss for Marcus Freeman’s staff. Golden had been the defensive coordinator since 2022. He was a position coach with the Bengals before going to Notre Dame, so he did already have a past connection there. Not having to recruit or deal with the nature of college football and everything that comes with it is why many coaches opt to make the leap.
Ohio State had a balanced offense against the Fighting Irish that resulted in 445 total yards. The Buckeyes cleared 200 yards in rushing and passing against Notre Dame.
Freeman and Notre Dame surely plan to be a constant player in the expanded format of the College Football Playoff. Now, they will be tasked with replacing Golden, who was a key part of their 2024 success.
3 key Ohio State players have huge decisions to make on whether or not they will stay in Columbus
The decisions will be coming.
