The Only Two: A Deep Dive Into Notre Dame's 2024 Football Losses And What Went Wrong

The 2024 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football season, which concluded in January 2025, was one of the program's most successful in recent memory, culminating in a 14-2 record and a No. 2 final ranking in the AP Poll. However, the season is defined not just by its impressive win streak, but by the two high-stakes losses that bookended the campaign: a shocking early-season upset and a heartbreaking defeat in the College Football Playoff National Championship. As of today, December 10, 2025, the analysis of these two key defeats continues to shape the narrative around Head Coach Marcus Freeman’s tenure and the program's trajectory.

The journey to a 14-win season was dramatic, featuring major victories over rivals and top-ranked teams. Yet, the two blemishes on the record—the only two losses this year—reveal critical moments where the Fighting Irish fell short of perfection and the ultimate goal of a national title. Understanding these defeats is essential for any fan or analyst reviewing the 2024 season's legacy.

Notre Dame Football 2024 Season: The Two Defining Losses

The 2024 campaign saw the Fighting Irish enter the season with high expectations, led by third-year Head Coach Marcus Freeman and a powerful roster. Despite finishing with a stellar 14-2 record, two opponents managed to hand Notre Dame a loss, each game carrying significant weight and consequences for the team’s national standing.

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Loss 1: The Monumental Early-Season Upset to NIU

The first loss of the 2024 season occurred in a game that was widely considered a tune-up, but quickly turned into one of the biggest upsets in modern Notre Dame history. The defeat came at the hands of the unranked Northern Illinois Huskies (NIU) on September 7, 2024, at Notre Dame Stadium.

• Opponent: Northern Illinois Huskies (NIU)
• Date: Saturday, September 7, 2024
• Location: Notre Dame Stadium, South Bend, IN
• Final Score: NIU 16, Notre Dame 14
• Significance: The loss came in the home opener for the Fighting Irish and immediately derailed the team's perfect start, which had begun with a strong road victory against Texas A&M. The upset was a major shock to the college football world, demonstrating that even a highly-ranked team can be vulnerable to a determined Group of Five opponent. It forced the team to regroup early in the 2024 college football season review.

The game was a defensive struggle for both sides, but the Irish offense, under new Offensive Coordinator Mike Denbrock, failed to generate consistent scoring drives against the Huskies' disciplined defense. The Northern Illinois defense capitalized on key mistakes and held the potent Notre Dame offense to just 14 points, sealing the 16-14 victory and handing Marcus Freeman his first major regular-season disappointment of the year.

Loss 2: The College Football Playoff National Championship Defeat

The second and final loss of the 2024 season was a far more significant affair, taking place on the biggest stage in college football. After an incredible run through the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP) bracket, the Fighting Irish earned a spot in the National Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

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• Opponent: Ohio State Buckeyes
• Date: Monday, January 20, 2025
• Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
• Final Score: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 23
• Significance: This loss prevented Notre Dame from claiming its first national title since 1988. Despite a strong start, the team could not hold off a powerful surge from the Buckeyes, who scored 31 unanswered points to pull away in the second half. The defeat finalized the Fighting Irish 14-2 record, placing them at No. 2 in the Final AP Poll Ranking.

The championship game was a hard-fought contest that showcased the talent of both programs. While Notre Dame's defense held strong early, the offensive firepower of the Ohio State Buckeyes proved too much in the end. The game highlighted the high-pressure environment of the CFP and the narrow margin for error against elite competition. This post-season defeat, while painful, solidified the team's return to the top tier of the sport under Coach Freeman.

The Impact and Topical Authority of the 2024 Losses

The two losses of the 2024 season, though different in context, provide valuable insights into the state of the Notre Dame football schedule and the team's future. The upset loss to NIU served as a crucial early-season wake-up call, forcing the team to address issues with consistency and focus. The fact that the team went on a long winning streak immediately after this defeat, including a major win over USC to end the regular season, speaks volumes about the team's resilience and the leadership of Marcus Freeman.

Conversely, the loss in the College Football Playoff National Championship is a testament to the program's success. Reaching the final game, especially after navigating the rigorous expanded CFP format, proved that the Fighting Irish are capable of competing with the nation's best. The 34-23 Notre Dame vs Ohio State CFP score is a data point that will be used for years to analyze the team's progress and areas needing improvement, particularly in sustained championship-level performance.

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Key areas for improvement identified from these losses include:

• Offensive Consistency: The struggles against the NIU defense demonstrated a need for more consistent execution against unexpected defensive looks.
• Big-Game Execution: While the team won several major games, the National Championship loss showed that closing out against a top-tier opponent like Ohio State requires perfect execution on both sides of the ball for four quarters.
• Roster Depth: Competing in an expanded CFP requires exceptional depth, which is a constant focus for independent programs like Notre Dame.

The overall 2024 season review paints a picture of a successful year—a 14-win season is a remarkable achievement for any program. The two losses, while disappointing, serve as clear, actionable benchmarks for the team as they head into the next season, aiming to finally break the national championship drought.