Notre Dame, Marcus Freeman Suffer Difficult Loss to Indiana on Sunday

The top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers carry a perfect 14-0 record into their upcoming College Football Playoff semifinal against the fifth-seeded Oregon Ducks. This highly anticipated rematch is set for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on January 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

Under head coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana has emerged as the frontrunner for the national championship following their commanding performance in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal. The Hoosiers overwhelmed Alabama with a convincing 38-3 victory, showcasing their dominance on both sides of the ball and solidifying their status as the team to beat.

While the current squad is laser-focused on securing a spot in the title game, the program’s future looks bright as well. Indiana has been actively strengthening its roster through the transfer portal, targeting players who can contribute immediately in the 2026 season.

A notable addition came on Sunday when former Notre Dame defensive lineman Joshua Burnham pledged his commitment to the Hoosiers. The Michigan native, who spent four years with the Fighting Irish, will bring his final year of eligibility to Bloomington, marking a shift to an in-state program.

Burnham delivered a strong performance this past season, notching three sacks while playing under coach Marcus Freeman at Notre Dame. Standing at 6-foot-4, he has developed into a reliable pass rusher capable of disrupting opposing offenses.

As a highly regarded four-star prospect in the 2022 recruiting cycle, Burnham initially joined Notre Dame with high expectations. He saw limited action as a freshman but steadily increased his impact over the subsequent years in South Bend.

Over his career with the Irish, Burnham accumulated 6.0 sacks, 17.0 tackles for loss, 65 total tackles, and one forced fumble, demonstrating consistent growth and versatility along the defensive front.

This commitment makes Burnham the seventh transfer to join Indiana’s incoming class. He is accompanied by TCU quarterback Josh Hoover, Boston College running back Turbo Richard, Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh, Kansas State edge rusher Tobi Osunsanmi, Wisconsin safety Preston Zachman, and Cincinnati safety Jiquan Sanks.

Notre Dame enjoyed a strong campaign last year, advancing all the way to the national championship before falling to Ohio State. However, the 2025 edition finished with a 10-2 mark, including a streak of 10 consecutive wins to end the regular season, yet was ultimately excluded from the expanded 12-team playoff field.

As the Hoosiers prepare for their pivotal showdown with Oregon—a team they defeated 30-20 during the regular season—the program continues to build momentum both on the field and in recruiting, positioning itself for sustained success in the years ahead.