The Fighting Irish have been on the lookout for a new defensive coordinator following Golden's move to the Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL and appear to be keen on an ex-Rutgers head honcho

Then, for the biggest play of the game, Notre Dame decided to leave Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith on an island. It was third and 12 and the Fighting Irish would get the ball back with a stop with a chance to tie the game. Smith completely burned his defender and he was wide open for a huge gain, and he iced the game.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have no injury report surprises ahead of the national championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes. According to the team, all student-athletes listed on the two-deep depth chart are available. That means that Beaux Collins and Jeremiyah Love should be good to go. Offensive lineman Rocco Spindler, too.

Ohio State and Notre Dame arrived in Atlanta on their charter flights on Friday as the teams moved closer to Monday night’s College Football Playoff national championship game.

College Football National Championship odds for Ohio State Buckeyes vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Monday, January 20.

Former Rutgers head coach Chris Ash might have an interest in returning to college football and if true, it might take place at the national runner-up. According to Pete Sampson of The Athletic, Ash has emerged as a “strong candidate” to be the next defensive coordinator at Notre Dame.

Notre Dame football has wasted little time attempting to fill its defensive coordinator vacancy after losing Al Golden to the NFL. The Irish are eyeing former Rutgers Scarlet Knights head coach Chris Ash to join head coach Marcus Freeman’s staff as the program attempts to build off its College Football Playoff runner-up finish this season,

It took only a couple of days for the Notre Dame college football team to lose several of their most important pieces to this year's successful season. But few losses loom larger than defensive coordinator Al Golden leaving for the NFL.