Notre Dame wide receiver Beaux Collins has collected plenty of memories during this College Football Playoff, particularly recalling the childlike joy he felt sprinting through the hallways of the team’s hotel in New Orleans. This lighthearted moment came as the Fighting Irish sought to manage an unexpected day off prior to the Sugar Bowl, following a tragic incident in the nearby French Quarter that left over a dozen individuals dead when a man drove his truck into a crowd.
Presently, Collins and his Notre Dame teammates have journeyed to Florida, where they are set to face off against Penn State in the Orange Bowl with hopes of advancing to the national championship game. Throughout their playoff run, the team has adeptly handled numerous obstacles.
“It was wild,” Collins reflected. “Hearing the news was definitely sad, learning about the lives lost. We took the time to consider how fortunate we are just to be alive, able to breathe and play a game like football. There are so many out there risking their lives for us; we must recognize that.” The stories of resilience are unique to each team that made it to the 12-team playoff, but Notre Dame’s postseason journey has carried a historic weight.
With a record of 13-1, the Irish have already surpassed their previous highest number of wins in a single season, coming within two victories of breaking a 36-year drought without a national championship, a record that stretches back to their last title in 1924. The upcoming playoff semifinal against the Nittany Lions (13-2) not only represents a pivotal moment in the season but also marks the latest in January that Notre Dame has ever played. A victory here would extend their season to an unprecedented 16 games. To keep the players fresh, head coach Marcus Freeman has reduced contact during practices, mimicking the demands of an NFL-style schedule.
As the team navigated their late-season preparations, players took their finals prior to their first-round win over Indiana, knowing their academic commitments wouldn’t resume until the following Monday. The challenges faced by the team extend well past the field and touch on themes of family, faith, and fate.
Balancing school and sport is especially significant for cornerback Christian Gray, whose mother remains invested in his academic performance. Following their first playoff game, the team spent the next week preparing for the second-seeded Georgia while also taking time to celebrate the Christmas holidays, a cherished tradition at this Catholic university.
However, everything changed last Wednesday when events in the French Quarter forced the team to reassess their situation. As they gathered in the hotel, the players engaged in deeper reflections about life and the potential for contributing to their community.
During this time, center Pat Coogan and right guard Rocco Spindler decided that someone should carry an American flag onto the field during the game. Coogan took on this responsibility. “Rocco and I were just discussing it in our hotel room, and then I spoke to (associate athletic director) Katy Lonergan and our equipment manager about finding a flag,” Coogan said, expressing his condolences for families affected by the tragedy. “This was a special moment; football can bring people together, regardless of their affiliations.”
Meanwhile, back at the hotel, the planned game-day itinerary fell apart, as the game meant to be played on Wednesday was rescheduled to Thursday afternoon. This shift forced the coaching staff to improvise and cost the winning team an extra day to prepare for their upcoming semifinal matchup.
Despite these upheavals, Collins and his teammates found other avenues to remain engaged. “We held some extra team meetings and ended up sprinting through the hotel hallways,” Collins detailed. “It was an enjoyable way to spend additional time together. Ultimately, we kept our main focus on why we were there in the first place: to win a game.”
