Notre Dame Football: 12 Games. 12 Plays. 12 Players.

As the calendar turns and we are saying goodbye to 2025, I’ve been pondering much less about polls and playoff debates—and extra in regards to the moments that outlined this Notre Dame season.

Not rankings.
Not alternatives.
Moments.

Here’s how I’ll keep in mind the yr: one defining play and one standout participant from every of the 12 video games.

Week 1 at Miami — Narrow Loss

The Play: A late drive that got here up simply brief, however confirmed Irish resolve.
The Player: CJ Carr — after a tough begin, the freshman quarterback confirmed poise nicely past his years, main his workforce again to tie the sport after trailing by 14.

Week 2 vs Texas A&M — Heartbreaker

The Play: A fourth-quarter surge that almost flipped the script.
The Player: Jeremiyah Love — after a quiet opener towards Miami, Love reminded us precisely how particular he’s.

Week 3 vs Purdue — Offensive Explosion

The Play: An extended landing that ignited a dominant win.
The Player: Malachi Fields — an electrical early strike that instantly set the tone.

Week 4 at Arkansas — Statement Win

The Play: When you rating 4 touchdowns within the first half, how do you even choose only one?
The Player: Jeremiyah Love — powering the offense with steadiness, power, and confidence as the first weapon.

Week 5 vs Boise State — Iron Clad Defense

The Play: The interception that opened the floodgates.
The Player: Tae Johnson — Chris Ash’s protection lastly confirmed what it’s able to, and Johnson was proper on the heart of it.

Week 6 vs NC State — Big Catches

The Play: Two clutch performs that arrange the sport’s opening landing.
The Player: Will Pauling —two large catches that paved the way in which for Jeremiyah Love’s first journey to the top zone.

Week 7 vs USC — Rain or Shine

The Play: A 3rd-quarter particular groups second that saved Irish momentum alive.
The Player: Jadarian Price — the kickoff return that had all of us on our toes, rain and all.

Week 8 at Boston College — Road Toughness

The Play: Fourth-and-six? No drawback.
The Player: Malachi Fields — CJ Carr lets it fly, and Fields comes down with it for the opening landing.

Week 9 vs Navy — Statement Defense

The Play: The spin, the roll, and the refusal to go down — all ending in a landing.
The Player: Jeremiyah Love — as soon as once more proving that if you want a solution, Love is it.

Week 10 at Pittsburgh — Physical Football

The Play: The one handed seize that we watched on repeat all week.
The Player: Malachi Fields — merely wow. An effort that demanded consideration.

Week 11 vs Syracuse — High-Octane

The Play: Pick six.
The Player: Jalen Stromen — should you have been even a minute late attending to your seat, you missed it.

Week 12 at Stanford — The Finish

The Play: A superbly executed faux that led straight to the top zone.
The Player: Luke Talich —faux, faux… after which pure pace all the way in which to pay dust.

Bonus Moments I’ll Never Forget (Because I Was There)

Some reminiscences transcend stats.

☘️ Arkansas
Being on the Arkansas recreation as a Notre Dame grad—with my daughter, an Arkansas grad—was school soccer at its greatest. Getting to introduce my children to Lou Holtz the evening earlier than made it unforgettable.

☘️ USC within the Rain
Standing in a downpour at USC and seeing Jeremiyah Love energy by way of brutal situations—that’s a second I’ll all the time carry.

☘️ 70-Point Syracuse Game
Being a part of that offensive explosion is a type of days the place soccer was simply enjoyable—pure pleasure.

As the clock strikes midnight, I’m grateful—for the performs, the gamers, and the individuals who made this season unforgettable.

What play—or participant—from the 2025 season will you all the time keep in mind?

Thank you for studying my tales each week. Wishing you a Happy New Year, a great 2026, and plenty of extra Saturdays value remembering.