It wasn't that Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and his team needed any extra motivation entering the Orange Bowl, but the Irish leader and his team certain

Head coach Marcus Freeman spoke with the media after the game to recap his team's gritty performance against a really good Penn State football team. One thing was evident from the start of the press conference, he was extremely proud of the way his players competed to the final whistle, and their ability to overcome adversity is unmatched.

Throughout the 2024 season, Notre Dame had a next-man-up mentality. Key injuries – such as Benjamin Morrison at cornerback, Charles Jagusah at left tackle and, most recently, Rylie Mills at defensive tackle – tested the Fighting Irish’s depth in a big way.