Ohio State emerged victorious in the College Football Playoff championship game, defeating Notre Dame 34-23. This win marks the Buckeyes’ ninth national title and their first since 2014. After a rough season that included a tough loss to Michigan, Ohio State rebounded in dominant fashion, securing their place at the top of college football.
Ohio State’s Explosive Offense Leads to Victory
Ohio State’s offense was unstoppable, scoring on their first five possessions. Quarterback Will Howard, a senior transfer from Kansas State, played a near-perfect game, setting a playoff record with 13 consecutive completions. He finished with 231 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 57 rushing yards.
Running back Quinshon Judkins, a transfer from Mississippi, was another key player. He ran for 100 yards, caught passes for 21 yards, and scored three total touchdowns. Freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith also made an impact, gaining 88 yards and scoring once.
On defense, JT Tuimoloau led the charge with five tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack. The Buckeyes’ defense held strong against Notre Dame’s rushing attack, allowing just 16 yards combined from their top two running backs.
Notre Dame’s Strong Start Fades Away
Notre Dame started the game with an impressive 18-play, 75-yard drive, consuming nearly 10 minutes of clock and ending with a 2-yard touchdown run by quarterback Riley Leonard. Leonard had a solid performance, throwing for 255 yards, two touchdowns, and rushing for 40 yards with another score. Wide receiver Jaden Greathouse was his top target, collecting 128 receiving yards and both of Leonard’s touchdown passes.
Despite this strong start, Notre Dame struggled to keep up with Ohio State’s high-powered offense. After scoring on their opening drive, they quickly fell behind as the Buckeyes responded with a touchdown of their own.
How the Game Slipped Away from Notre Dame
After an early back-and-forth, Ohio State took control:
- Second Quarter Surge:
- A three-and-out by Notre Dame allowed Ohio State to take over at their 24-yard line.
- Judkins’ 9-yard touchdown run gave the Buckeyes a 14-7 lead.
- Another quick stop by the Buckeyes’ defense led to a 6-yard touchdown pass from Howard to Judkins, making it 21-7 at halftime.
- Early Third Quarter Knockout:
- On their second play of the second half, Judkins ran 70 yards down to the Notre Dame 5-yard line.
- Three plays later, he scored again, extending Ohio State’s lead to 28-7.
- The Buckeyes became the first team in championship game history to score touchdowns on their first four possessions.
- Missed Opportunities for Notre Dame:
- A failed fake punt attempt gave Ohio State great field position, leading to a field goal that extended their lead to 31-7.
- Notre Dame fought back with a touchdown and two-point conversion to make it 31-15.
- A costly missed field goal from 27 yards out ended a crucial scoring opportunity.
- Final Efforts and Ohio State’s Response:
- Notre Dame cut the lead to 31-23 with just over four minutes left.
- On a critical third-and-10, Howard connected with Smith for a 57-yard pass, setting up a game-sealing field goal.
Ohio State’s Road to the Championship
The Buckeyes’ journey to the title was historic, as they became the first team to win four games in a single College Football Playoff. Their playoff run included:
- First Round: A dominant 42-17 win over Tennessee.
- Quarterfinals: A 41-21 victory over Oregon, avenging an earlier season loss.
- Semifinals: A tough 28-14 win against Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
Their triumph in the championship game cements this team’s place in history and relieves pressure on head coach Ryan Day, who has faced criticism for Ohio State’s struggles against Michigan in recent years. With this win, he joins legendary Buckeye coaches Paul Brown, Woody Hayes, Jim Tressel, and Urban Meyer as national champions.
