As the calendar turns and we say goodbye to 2025, I’ve been thinking less about polls and playoff debates—and more about the moments that defined this Notre Dame season.
Not rankings. Not selections. Moments.
Here’s how I’ll remember the year: one defining play and one standout player from each of the 12 games.
Week 1 at Miami — Narrow Loss
The Play: A late drive that came up just short, but showed Irish resolve.
The Player: CJ Carr — after a rough start, the freshman quarterback showed poise well beyond his years, leading his team back to tie the game after trailing by 14.
Week 2 vs Texas A&M — Heartbreaker
The Play: A fourth-quarter surge that nearly flipped the script.
The Player: Jeremiyah Love — after a quiet opener against Miami, Love reminded us exactly how special he is.
Week 3 vs Purdue — Offensive Explosion
The Play: A long touchdown that ignited a dominant win.
The Player: Malachi Fields — an electric early strike that immediately set the tone.
Week 4 at Arkansas — Statement Win
The Play: When you score four touchdowns in the first half, how do you even pick just one?
The Player: Jeremiyah Love — powering the offense with balance, strength, and confidence as the primary weapon.
Week 5 vs Boise State — Iron Clad Defense
The Play: The interception that opened the floodgates.
The Player: Tae Johnson — Chris Ash’s defense finally showed what it’s capable of, and Johnson was right at the center of it.
Week 6 vs NC State — Big Catches
The Play: Two clutch plays that set up the game’s opening touchdown.
The Player: Will Pauling —two big catches that paved the way for Jeremiyah Love’s first trip to the end zone.
Week 7 vs USC — Rain or Shine
The Play: A third-quarter special teams moment that kept Irish momentum alive.
The Player: Jadarian Price — the kickoff return that had all of us on our feet, rain and all.
Week 8 at Boston College — Road Toughness
The Play: Fourth-and-six? No problem.
The Player: Malachi Fields — CJ Carr lets it fly, and Fields comes down with it for the opening touchdown.
Week 9 vs Navy — Statement Defense
The Play: The spin, the roll, and the refusal to go down — all ending in a touchdown.
The Player: Jeremiyah Love — once again proving that when you need an answer, Love is it.
Week 10 at Pittsburgh — Physical Football
The Play: The one handed grab that we watched on repeat all week.
The Player: Malachi Fields — simply wow. An effort that demanded attention.
Week 11 vs Syracuse — High-Octane
The Play: Pick six.
The Player: Jalen Stromen — if you were even a minute late getting to your seat, you missed it.
Week 12 at Stanford — The Finish
The Play: A beautifully executed fake that led straight to the end zone.
The Player: Luke Talich —fake, fake… and then pure speed all the way to pay dirt.
Bonus Moments I’ll Never Forget (Because I Was There)
Some memories go beyond stats.
☘️ Arkansas
Being at the Arkansas game as a Notre Dame grad—with my daughter, an Arkansas grad—was college football at its best. Getting to introduce my kids to Lou Holtz the night before made it unforgettable.
☘️ USC in the Rain
Standing in a downpour at USC and seeing Jeremiyah Love power through brutal conditions—that’s a moment I’ll always carry.
☘️ 70-Point Syracuse Game
Being part of that offensive explosion is one of those days where football was just fun—pure joy.
As the clock strikes midnight, I’m grateful—for the plays, the players, and the people who made this season unforgettable.
What play—or player—from the 2025 season will you always remember?
Thank you for reading my stories every week. Wishing you a Happy New Year, a wonderful 2026, and many more Saturdays worth remembering.
Cheers & GO IRISH!
