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Honorable. Heartbreaking. Historic. In a memorable season led by head coach Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame came agonizingly close to claiming its first national championship since 1988.

Facing the Ohio State Buckeyes on Jan. 20, the Fighting Irish ultimately fell short in a 34-23 defeat.

Back in Scholastic’s Dec. 8, 1988 issue, Managing Editor Terry Lynch broke down everything readers needed to know before the Irish battled West Virginia for the national title. The article, “A Major Reversal,” highlighted how Notre Dame found themselves in an unusual position for the most important game of the season — favorite. Lynch wrote, “No longer are they battling football meanies like Miami or USC or Penn State or Michigan, the kinds of teams who have been to the top before, or at least have had a hand in keeping the Irish down during the 1980s... Instead of knocking down Goliath, the Irish have a new task: beat David.”

West Virginia was certainly the underdog in this matchup. The Mountaineers had never experienced an undefeated season, been remotely close to a national championship, or had a Heisman Trophy winner. Yet, led by standout quarterback Major Harris — who was named the Sporting News freshman quarterback of the year in 1987 — the team’s physical strength and aggressive plays drove them to success in 1988. Ultimately, the Irish, coached by Lou Holtz, ended the season with a perfect 12-0 record. They secured their eleventh national championship on Jan. 2, 1989 in a 34-21 victory against West Virginia.

Thirty-six years later, Notre Dame faced no David when they squared off against the Buckeyes. Despite the disappointing outcome, the Irish displayed unwavering heart and fight. After kicking off with a discouraging loss to Northern Illinois University in game two, the 2024 season showcased Notre Dame’s resilience as they carried out the rest of the season undefeated and laid a foundation for future success.