The College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship is the pinnacle of college football, and for Notre Dame players, the journey to this moment has been a blend of hard work, sacrifice, and focus. As the Fighting Irish prepare to face Ohio State in a battle for the national title, a recurring theme that has emerged among the players is the importance of authenticity—both on and off the field. In a game that will define legacies, players are not just thinking about strategy and preparation; they are emphasizing the need to remain true to themselves and their team’s core values.
A Season of Resilience and Unity
Notre Dame’s path to the CFP title game has been anything but easy. The team has faced numerous challenges throughout the season, including tough matchups, injuries, and the pressure that comes with competing at the highest level of college football. However, what has kept the Fighting Irish moving forward is a sense of unity that stems from an unshakeable commitment to one another. For players like senior quarterback Jack Coan, the journey has been as much about self-discovery and growth as it has been about athletic achievement.
“We’ve been through a lot this season, but one thing we’ve talked about from the beginning is being authentic to who we are,” Coan said during a press conference ahead of the game. “On the field, that means trusting our systems, trusting each other. Off the field, it means not getting caught up in what everyone else is saying about us. It’s about staying grounded and true to our identity as a team.”
For Coan and his teammates, authenticity is more than just a buzzword. It represents a commitment to their values, and that commitment has helped to fuel their success. The team’s resilience in the face of adversity has allowed them to push through setbacks, stay focused on the task at hand, and ultimately get to this point—a chance to compete for a national championship.
Authenticity on the Field: Playing the Notre Dame Way
When it comes to football, authenticity manifests in how the Fighting Irish approach the game itself. Notre Dame has long been known for its traditional style of football: a strong running game, physicality up front, and a focus on fundamentals. This approach has served the team well throughout the season, allowing them to compete with some of the best teams in the country.
Offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson, a key leader on the team, emphasized the importance of sticking to what the team knows best. “We’ve been playing this brand of football all season, and we’re not going to change who we are just because we’re playing for a national title,” Patterson said. “We’re a tough, physical team. That’s what Notre Dame football is all about. If we play our game, we know we can compete with anyone.”
The Fighting Irish have adopted a mindset of confidence rooted in their core values. Even as they prepare for one of the most talented teams in the country in Ohio State, the players continue to emphasize that their success depends not on trying to imitate others, but on staying true to the team’s philosophy. This mindset of authenticity also reflects Notre Dame’s storied tradition, one that has seen the team achieve greatness in previous decades.
Coach Marcus Freeman, who took over as head coach in the offseason, has made it clear that staying true to Notre Dame’s heritage is a priority. “We’ve been very clear about what our identity is. We have a standard of excellence that has been built over many years, and we’re not going to stray from that just because the stakes are higher now. We need to keep doing what we do best—play hard, play physical, and play together.”
In Freeman’s eyes, staying authentic is not about being rigid, but about being adaptable within the context of the team’s established principles. It’s a balance of discipline and flexibility that the coach believes will lead to success, no matter the opponent.
A Personal Approach: The Players’ Mentality
The Notre Dame players also recognize the significance of maintaining authenticity in their personal lives. For many of these athletes, football is just one aspect of who they are. The pressure to perform at the highest level can sometimes overshadow the fact that these athletes are young men with dreams, challenges, and identities that extend beyond the field.
Wide receiver Avery Davis has spoken about the importance of being true to himself and his faith throughout the season. “I think being authentic means not losing sight of who you are, especially when you’re on such a big stage,” Davis said. “I know that I’m not just a football player. I’m a person, a student, and someone who believes in something bigger than just winning a game. It’s important to keep that in mind no matter what the outcome is.”
For Davis and many of his teammates, the ability to maintain balance in their lives—between academics, personal values, and football—is a key to their success. This balance allows them to perform at the highest level while remaining true to themselves.
Davis, who has been an instrumental part of the team’s offense this season, adds that maintaining a sense of authenticity on the field helps with the team’s chemistry. “We’re not just playing for the guys next to us; we’re playing for the whole university, for our families, and for everyone who has supported us along the way. That’s what makes this team so special. We all understand the bigger picture.”
The Ohio State Challenge: Staying Authentic in the Face of Pressure
As Notre Dame prepares to face off against Ohio State, a team that is both talented and highly regarded, the challenge will be steep. The Buckeyes boast one of the most potent offenses in college football, led by a dynamic quarterback and a deep group of skilled players. But the Fighting Irish players insist that the key to success in this game lies not in trying to match Ohio State’s style of play, but in staying authentic to their own strengths.
“It’s easy to get caught up in the hype and the media and start thinking that we need to change who we are to compete with Ohio State,” said defensive lineman Isaiah Foskey. “But we know what we’re capable of. We have our identity, and that’s what we need to focus on. We need to play Notre Dame football—hard, fast, and physical—and everything else will take care of itself.”
For the Notre Dame defense, which has been a cornerstone of the team all season, maintaining authenticity means continuing to execute the fundamentals of good football: tackling, communication, and disciplined positioning. Defensive coordinator Al Golden has stressed the importance of not trying to do too much in this high-stakes game.
“You can’t get lost in the moment,” Golden said. “You have to focus on the things you know. If we do that, we’ll be in a position to succeed. But it all starts with staying true to who we are.”
Embracing the Moment, Not the Outcome
While the national title is certainly the ultimate goal, the Notre Dame players are focused on the process rather than the end result. This mentality reflects their commitment to authenticity—it’s not about the destination but the journey. Players have repeatedly emphasized that they want to look back on this season and know that they gave everything they had while staying true to their values.
For running back Audric Estime, this means enjoying the moment while remaining grounded. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but we’re not here just to make it to the championship game. We’re here to win it, and we’re here to do it by staying true to the way we play football,” Estime said. “At the end of the day, no matter what happens, we know we did it our way.”
The notion of authenticity also extends to how the team views its supporters and its connection to the Notre Dame community. Fans have long admired the Fighting Irish for their blue-collar mentality and their commitment to the school’s rich history. Players like Foskey understand the significance of playing for the university and the people who support it.
“We’re playing for something bigger than ourselves. We’re playing for the fans, for our families, and for the legacy of Notre Dame,” Foskey said. “That’s what being authentic is all about—being true to those who came before us and those who will come after us.”