Marcus Freeman’s Outburst: Notre Dame Coach Blasts Ryan Day, Calls Ohio State’s Win a ‘Scam’
South Bend, IN – February 4, 2025
The fallout from Notre Dame’s crushing 38-24 loss to Ohio State in the national championship game has taken a dramatic turn. Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman shocked the college football world on Monday with an uncharacteristically fiery press conference, where he called the Buckeyes’ victory a “huge scam” and accused Ohio State head coach Ryan Day of engaging in “blatant manipulation” during the game.
Freeman, known for his calm demeanor and measured approach, appeared visibly agitated as he addressed the media. His frustration boiled over when asked about controversial officiating decisions and Ohio State’s dominant second-half performance.
“This was a rigged game, plain and simple,” Freeman declared. “We prepared, we executed, and yet every time we built momentum, something fishy happened. You’re telling me that in a national championship game, the officiating crew just so happened to miss two blatant holding calls on key Ohio State touchdowns? I’m sorry, but I don’t buy it. This was a setup from the beginning.”
Targeting Ryan Day
While bad calls are nothing new in college football, what stunned many was Freeman’s direct attack on Ryan Day, a coach he once worked under at Ohio State. The Notre Dame coach suggested that Day’s connections within the NCAA and the Big Ten played a role in how the game unfolded.
“Ryan Day has been coaching this program for years, and you can’t tell me he doesn’t have influence,” Freeman continued. “How is it that Ohio State gets every break imaginable? How is it that they get away with running illegal formations, uncalled offensive pass interference, and mysteriously ‘reviewed’ plays that always seem to go in their favor? It’s a disgrace to the sport.”
Freeman’s comments were met with stunned silence in the media room, but he wasn’t finished.
“I’m not saying Ohio State didn’t play well – they did,” he admitted. “But when the refs dictate momentum, when clear penalties are ignored, and when reviews only benefit one team, it’s not football anymore. It’s a scam.”
Calls for an Investigation
Freeman’s accusations didn’t stop at just verbal frustration. The Notre Dame coach announced that he and the university would formally request an investigation into the game’s officiating, suggesting that “external influences” may have played a role in the outcome.
“We owe it to our players, our fans, and the integrity of the sport to demand answers,” Freeman stated. “The NCAA cannot allow games to be decided in boardrooms instead of on the field.”
Ryan Day’s Response
Shortly after Freeman’s comments went public, Ryan Day was asked for a response. The Ohio State coach, who was celebrating the Buckeyes’ championship with his team, appeared baffled by the allegations.
“That’s ridiculous,” Day said with a shake of his head. “We won that game fair and square. I respect Marcus, but if he wants to go down this road, that’s on him.”
As the college football world reacts to Freeman’s explosive claims, one thing is clear: this rivalry has reached a new level of hostility.
