The loss against the Miami Hurricanes was bad enough, but what was worse was watching Notre Dame football misuse, or not even use, their best player on the field when they needed him most. It was known that Jeremiyah Love was going to be one of the top, if not the best, running back in the country this season, and after relying on him a lot late in the season last year, it seemed the Fighting Irish would do the same to start the season.
However, anyone who thought that would be incredibly wrong, as Love only has 10 carries for 33 yards, averaging 3.3 yards per carry, and his longest carry was eight yards. Even ESPN believed Love was underused as play-by-play caller, Sean McDonough, subtly called out Notre Dame for how they utilized their best player.
ESPN didn't love Notre Dame football's use of Jeremiyah Love
"Love out of the witness protection program," McDonough said on a Love carry in the third quarter that went for over 10 yards, but was ultimately called back for a holding call.
“Love out of the witness protection program”
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) September 1, 2025
Sean McDonough with the line of the weekend, discussing Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love pic.twitter.com/WLifLBqy99
Granted, Love was incredibly explosive on his runs, but there was only one explosive run play in the game, and that was Jadarian Price, who broke off for a 30-yard run, but only had 15 yards the rest of the game. It is a wonder that Notre Dame could have wasted the game plan for Love when they have a brand new quarterback playing. Notre Dame only had 94 rushing yards the entirety of the game against Miami.
Of course, head coach Marcus Freeman wants to get his young quarterback comfortable and lean on the pass a little, but also leaning on the best player to get them in better yardage positions for certain downs would have been helpful. Miami had a great defensive line, and that was evident, but give Love more than just 10 chances to get going with the ball.
Freeman is going to need a better game plan for the offense, Love especially heading into play Texas A&M in Week 3 in College Station. The Notre Dame football team will try to make sure they don't go 0-2 to start the season, and maybe even destroy their playoff chances so soon.