How a ten-game winning streak defined Notre Dame's 2025 campaign
In short: After a bruising start against top-tier opponents, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish orchestrated a remarkable mid-season turnaround. Despite missing out on the College Football Playoff, the 10–2 squad proved their resilience, driven by an elite running back and a defense that dominated the scoreboard.
The 2025 season for the Fighting Irish, the fourth under head coach Marcus Freeman, was a study in momentum. The campaign began with significant setbacks, as the team suffered early defeats against ranked opponents Miami (FL) and Texas A&M. However, the Irish responded with ten straight victories, including notable wins over Pittsburgh and USC. A late winning streak secured a 10th-place finish in the AP's concluding rankings, plus 11th in the Coaches Poll. The team's home games were hosted at Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana. During these matchups, the Irish attracted a substantial crowd, averaging 77,622 fans per home game.
Individual brilliance anchored the team's statistical dominance. Running back Jeremiyah Love delivered a standout performance, accumulating 1,372 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. His season earned him the Doak Walker Award and a third-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting, while also securing unanimous All-America honors. He was joined in the All-America ranks by cornerback Leonard Moore, who also received unanimous recognition. The offensive production was further bolstered by quarterback CJ Carr, who recorded 2,741 passing yards. Wide receiver Jordan Faison contributed 640 receiving yards to the team's total.
The roster was characterized by significant movement and positional shifts. While several players transferred to programs such as California, Tennessee, and Nebraska, others arrived from schools like Alabama and Virginia. The team also saw internal adaptations, such as Tyler Buchner moving from wide receiver to quarterback. Despite the high-scoring offense, which outscored opponents 504 to 211, the team ultimately withdrew from bowl game consideration and did not participate in the 2025–26 College Football Playoff. Defensive stability was provided by linebacker Drayk Bowen, who tallied 67 total tackles. The roster also saw Justin Fisher transition from running back to tight end.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2025 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
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