Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Al Golden is on the heels of an NFL job after the Fighting Irish lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday.

Coach Ryan Day shushed the critics, running back Quinshon Judkins scored three touchdowns, and the No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes held off a furious second-half rally to beat No. 7 seed Notre Dame, 34-23,

Ohio State opened up the 12-team College Football Playoff the same way it opened up the four-team field: holding up a trophy. The Buckeyes knocked off Notre Dame in the championship game, 34-23, to reclaim their spot at the top of college football.