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Marcus Freeman's Message to Curt Cignetti During Postgame Handshake in Notre Dame-Indiana

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Dec 21, 2024 12:33 AM ET

Marcus Freeman and the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish shut down Curt Cignetti and the No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers' impressive season with a 27-17 win in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love was the star of the show, recording eight carries for 107 yards and a touchdown, including the momentum-setting 98-yard score early in the first quarter.

Indiana's top-ranked rushing defense surrendered 193 rushing yards in the game, one of the highest totals they allowed all season. Freeman's defense also prevented the Hoosiers from scoring a touchdown until giving up two during garbage time.

After the match, the two head coaches met midfield for a postgame handshake. It seemed Freeman was uninterested in what Cignetti had to say, appearing to avoid eye contact before the two parted ways.

In a postgame interview, Freeman, the fourth-year head coach who replaced Brian Kelly, revealed what he told Cignetti during their handshake.

"I told Coach Cignetti that's a heck of a football team we faced," Freeman said after Notre Dame's win.

Coach Freeman: I told Coach Cignetti that's a heck of a football team we faced.
— The New ND Network (@TNNDN) December 21, 2024

Cignetti ended his first season with Indiana facing some backlash for his team's performance, especially after what he said during ESPN's "College GameDay" before the game.

"We don't just beat Top 25 teams, we beat the (expletive) out of them," Cignetti boldly said.

The Hoosiers finished the season 0-2 against teams in the top 25, with the other loss coming against Ohio State. They fell by a combined score of 65-32 to the Buckeyes and the Fighting Irish.

Now, Indiana sees its unexpected season come to a close, ending with an 11-2 record. Notre Dame, on the other hand, will move on to the quarterfinals, where they will battle the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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