SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Nine final thoughts on Notre Dame going out (almost) on top after its 34-23 loss to Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

According to ESPN PR, the game between OSU and the Irish pulled in 22.1 million viewers, the most watched non-NFL sporting event over the past year. The game peaked at 26.1 million viewers between 8:30 and 8:45 p.m. ET.

ESPN announced an average of 22.1 million viewers tuned in to watch Ohio State beat Notre Dame 34-23 in championship game for the College Football

The College Football Playoff National Championship Game looked over midway through the third quarter. Notre Dame rallied to make Ohio State earn it.

Jack Kiser walked up the tunnel toward Notre Dame ’s locker room beneath Mercedes-Benz Stadium, tears welling in his bloodshot eyes, as if the linebacker had anything else to pour out. Behind him, all the scarlet and white confetti had fallen as Ohio State ’s national championship party swayed,

Following Notre Dame’s CFP title game loss, fans express their frustrations over missed opportunities, coaching decisions, and what could have been.

The Notre Dame football program has seen three players leave via the transfer portal on Wednesday, days after the CFP loss.

The winner claims the national championship in the first year of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff and longest college football season ever. Ohio State is trying for its sixth title, and first since its 2014 team won the inaugural CFP. Notre Dame is going for its 12th title, and first since 1988.