Jeremiyah Love shared insights regarding Notre Dame’s decision not to participate in a bowl game during a media appearance in Midtown Manhattan. The team’s season conclusively ended last Sunday when the school officially announced their withdrawal from postseason play, following their exclusion from the College Football Playoff (CFP).
Love emphasized that the choice was a collective decision, showcasing the Fighting Irish’s focus on representing their team authentically. His remarks hinted at a broader sentiment among players, suggesting that several key athletes might have opted out of a bowl game. “Ultimately came down to us wanting to give the best representation of our 2025 football team,” Love stated. He reflected on the unique strengths of their season, noting that the roster in a bowl game would not reflect their best squad.
Finishing with a commendable 10-2 record, Notre Dame concluded their season on a 10-game winning streak, yet they found themselves on the outside looking in regarding the CFP; they were the first team omitted from the playoff field after being consistently ranked within the top 12 by the selection committee.
Athletic director Pete Bevacqua had publicly criticized the selection process, particularly the role of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), which had opposed Notre Dame’s inclusion to bolster Miami, who had previously beaten the Irish early in the season. While Notre Dame is an independent program in football, they compete in most other sports under the ACC umbrella, and they maintain a football scheduling agreement with the conference.
Love noted that the initial emotions following the CFP announcement were filled with confusion and disappointment. “Everybody at that time didn’t understand why,” he recalled. However, as time passed, the players recognized their own shortcomings led to the outcome. Notre Dame’s early season struggles, which included two close losses to Miami and No. 7 Texas A&M, ultimately shaped their playoff destiny. “At the end of the day, we left it up to the committee to decide whether we’re going to be in the playoffs or not,” Love added.
With his impressive performance throughout the season, Love is now vying to become the first running back to win the Heisman Trophy since Derrick Henry claimed the award in 2015. The competition features notable finalists, including Vanderbilt’s quarterback Diego Pavia, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza, and Ohio State’s Julian Sayin, the latter two leading their teams into the playoff as the top seeds. Meanwhile, Pavia and No. 14 Vanderbilt are preparing for a ReliaQuest Bowl match against No. 23 Iowa.
Reflecting on their season’s conclusion, Love remarked that the team participated in a charity event earlier this week, underscoring their commitment to community engagement. He acknowledged that had they performed better throughout the season, they would surely have secured a playoff spot. Despite his disappointment at missing out on the CFP, Love expressed pride in the team’s performance, emphasizing their strong finish to the season.
