It was a battle that looked like it may not end up being one. Ohio State absorbed a first blow by Notre Dame, then scored 31 unanswered points through the first, second, and third quarters to

This loss for Notre Dame to Ohio State in the national title game wasn't Alabama 2013 all over again, but there were similarites. The differences were huge, though.

Here's a look back at Marcus Freeman's playing career at Ohio State as he leads Notre Dame into the CFP championship game on Monday vs. the Buckeyes:

Jack Kiser walked up the tunnel toward Notre Dame ’s locker room beneath Mercedes-Benz Stadium, tears welling in his bloodshot eyes, as if the linebacker had anything else to pour out. Behind him, all the scarlet and white confetti had fallen as Ohio State ’s national championship party swayed,

Head coach Marcus Freeman shouldered the blame for Notre Dame's 34-23 loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game on

How has Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman fared against Ohio State? Here's a look at his record against his alma mater ahead of Monday's game:

Facing fourth-and-goal, down 31-15 early in the fourth quarter in a College Football Playoff National Championship clash against Ohio State, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman elected to kick a field goal.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman, who played college football for Ohio State, admitted he's "still a fan" of his alma mater before the national championship game vs. the Buckeyes.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman had a moment after the Ohio State Buckeyes won the national championship that caught the attention of the college football world. Freeman witnessed his team mount a late comeback before falling short, 34-23, to the Buckeyes.

And in my 24 years on the Notre Dame football beat, no Irish team created more for the fan base than this one. Covering a run through the Playoff was to know you were documenting a team Notre Dame fans will be talking about for decades.