• The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 34-23 to win the CFP national championship.
• The Buckeyes got here by beating Tennessee, Oregon and Texas in playoff action. Ohio State wins its first national championship since 2014-15.
• The Fighting Irish topped Indiana, Georgia and Penn State to earn a trip to the big game. Notre Dame was looking for its first national championship since 1988-89.
The Ohio State Buckeyes prevailed over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the College Football Playoff championship game in Atlanta to win their first national title since the 2014 season.
The supporters of both blue-blooded programs were well represented at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with a fairly equal split of the 77,660 fans in attendance.
Ahead of the teams taking the field, a moment of silence was held for the victims of the New Orleans terrorist attack that happened earlier this month, as well as for those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires, and the first responders in both New Orleans and Los Angeles.
The first break of the game went to the Buckeyes, who won the coin toss and elected to defer until the second half, putting the Fighting Irish offense on the field first.
But Notre Dame was more than up to the task, as the Irish orchestrated an epic scoring drive to start the game.
Quarterback Riley Leonard established a quick pace with a combination of QB keepers and throws that picked up first downs throughout the opening possession.
The result was an 18-play, 75-yard masterpiece that ate up almost 10 minutes and finished with Leonard powering it into the end zone to get the scoring started and stake the Irish to a 7-0 lead.
Leonard was gassed after the drive, which was Notre Dame’s longest scoring drive of the season in terms of time and plays run. ESPN reported he threw up after coming over to the sideline. The QB carried the rock nine times and gained 34 yards on the opening drive.
Trailing for the first time in this College Football Playoff, the Buckeyes had a quick answer.
With a healthy mix of running and passing, Ohio State’s offense cruised down the field on their own 75-yard touchdown drive.
After reaching the doorstep of the Notre Dame end zone as the first quarter came to a close, Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Jeremiah Smith to tie the game early in the second quarter.
Ohio State’s next possession was almost a carbon copy of its first drive, as the Buckeyes methodically moved the ball down the field against the Notre Dame defense.
The Buckeyes finished the 76-yard drive with a flourish as running back Quinshon Judkins ran through Irish tacklers for a 9-yard touchdown to put Ohio State ahead 14-7.
After a three-and-out from Notre Dame, Ohio State looked to press its advantage against a weary Fighting Irish defense before halftime.
Howard and the Buckeye offense were up to the task, as the senior quarterback used the final minutes of the second quarter to engineer another long touchdown drive, culminating in a TD pass from Howard to Judkins.
After the intermission, Ohio State got the ball to start the third quarter, and didn’t miss a beat.
Once again, it was Judkins carrying the bulk of the load for the scarlet and gray. Judkins busted loose for a 70-yard run to take the Buckeyes down to the 5-yard line, then converted a 1-yard touchdown run on third down to extend the lead to 28-7.
After a failed fake punt set up an Ohio State field goal, Notre Dame’s offense got back on track.
Things looked bleak initially for Notre Dame after Leonard took an 11-yard sack, but a defensive pass interference penalty kept the drive alive.
The break led to a 34-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jaden Greathouse. The Irish would successfully secure the two-point conversion to cut the lead to 16 at 31-15.
Notre Dame fans dared to dream of a miraculous comeback after the Irish defense forced an Ohio State fumble to put their offense back on the field.
Leonard led the Fighting Irish down the field and inside the Ohio State 10-yard line. Facing a fourth-and-goal from the 9-yard line, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman decided to go for a field goal.
But kicker Mitch Jeter’s attempt clanged off the left upright as the sound seemed to echo through the stadium and through the Notre Dame fans’ hearts as the score remained 31-15.
After the missed kick, Notre Dame’s defense stepped up and forced Ohio State to punt for the first time in the game.
Leonard left nothing to chance on the following drive. The senior QB passed for 82 yards, capped by a 30-yard touchdown pass to Jaden Greathouse – his second long touchdown reception of the game. Another successful two-point conversion made the score 31-23 Ohio State.
Buckeye fans’ joy was turning to panic as momentum seemed to have swung completely behind Notre Dame, with the Irish defense poised to force another Ohio State punt.
Facing a third-and-11 from his own 34-yard line, Howard heaved it deep to Smith for a 56-yard completion down to the Notre Dame 10-yard-line. Ohio State would use the crucial first down to run precious seconds off the clock and eventually add a 33-yard field goal from Jayden Fielding to ice the game.
With a 34-23 win, the Ohio State Buckeyes are national champions again for the first time in a decade.
The victory and celebratory Gatorade shower was especially sweet for Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, who felt the ire of Buckeye fans after a disappointing loss to archrival Michigan in the final game of the regular season.
After the victory, Day told ESPN that this was the very reason he got into this business.
Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day is over the moon after that intense game, having chucked his headset into the crowd as time ran out.
He told ESPN after the game that the win was sweet redemption after a fourth-straight loss to Michigan filled the Ohio State program with doubt.
“The story gets to be told now. And it’s a great story. About a bunch of guys that overcome some really tough situations and there was a point where there was a lot of people that counted us out,” Day said.
“We just kept swinging and kept fighting. It’s the reason you get into coaching. It’s to see guys overcome things. Learn life lessons and then reach their dreams. This is what happened tonight.”
The Notre Dame head football coach was already looking ahead to next season during the postgame press conference.
Quarterback Riley Leonard transferred to Notre Dame from Duke to try and win a national championship, and he came agonizingly close. He said the season was a growing experience for him and his team.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman gave all the credit to Ohio State for executing on offense and defense but said his team simply didn’t play the way it was capable.
The champs enjoyed this moment.
Ohio State’s Will Howard had nothing but respect for the opposition following the game.
So this is what it feels like the breathe for the first time in 90 minutes? Oh! Maybe that explains why I’ve been on the verge of simultaneously passing out and vomiting since midway through the first quarter.
Joking aside – OK, that wasn’t a joke – this means a lot to an Ohio kid. It means even more that my two oldest kids, TJ and Carter, got to watch it with me (Carter rocking the away Marvin Harrison Jr. jersey, TJ with the vintage Braxton Miller home threads.)
This is the first season of full indoctrination for them and, well, it doesn’t get much better than this. (Maybe a *little* bit better if it had been on a different day than the inauguration and I’d been in Atlanta, but I digress…)
I never act like we’re any different than the fan bases of other programs – have you met Kaitlan Collins? College football is great because of the insane alums, diehards and weird traditions that only people who come where you come from understand.
But more than once my DC colleagues have wondered (or asked outright) why I talk about Ohio constantly. I’m self-aware enough to know it’s probably gotten a bit tedious at this point when I launch into the 8 millionth story about why I love the place more than anything in the world. They’re probably all grateful the state is no longer a huge swing state and they can genuinely avoid me clamoring to hit the campaign trail there every four years.
But in my defense, you won’t meet many people from Ohio who aren’t immensely proud of where they’re from. They know you don’t understand why – and probably think they need need to see more of the country or world.
We’re cool with that. The chip on our shoulder is fuel, not weight. And this Buckeye football team, now firmly in the pantheon of Ohio immortality, served as such a wonderful representation of that mentality.
Ohio Against the World.
O-H!
Ohio State wins the national title after a dominant playoff run. The Buckeyes outscored their opponents 145 to 75 in their four playoff games.
Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s offensive attack has been unstoppable, showing a resemblance to his Oregon Ducks days – only this time with more weapons – even if he got a bit conservative in the second half.
Quarterback Will Howard, the former three-star recruit who was overlooked by many coming out of high school, shined on the biggest stage. His 13-straight completions to start the game was a record for a title game.
Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka now has the most receptions in school history, surpassing KJ Hill’s record for all-time career receptions.
Running back Quinshon Judkins showed off his scorching acceleration and panoramic vision, scoring three touchdowns on the night.
Just a massive, complete game from the Buckeyes – making the right plays down the stretch to seal it.
CORRECTION: This post has been updated to correct the amount the Buckeyes outscored their opponents during their four playoff games.
It’s over in Atlanta and the Ohio State Buckeyes are the national champions!
Final score: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 23
Riley Leonard’s handoff to Jeremiyah Love for a loss of two yards will do it as Notre Dame’s attempt at a miraculous second half comeback falls just short.
It was a valid effort for Marcus Freeman’s team but Ohio State’s talent proved to be too much to overcome.
Final: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 23
On third-and-goal from the 13-yard line, Howard lines up in the pistol formation and keeps it. He runs a few steps to the right and dives down, losing two yards.
The Buckeyes run the clock down to 29 seconds and then take their final timeout. Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding takes the field with a chance to put this one out of reach.
Fielding lines up from the right hash and he nails it. Ohio State is going to win the national championship!
Score: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 23
Quinshon Judkins takes the first handoff after the two-minute timeout for a one-yard gain and Notre Dame calls its final timeout of the game.
One more first down and this one is over.
Will Howard takes a keeper up the middle for one yard to the Notre Dame 13-yard line.
The clock is ticking and time is running out fast on the Irish. The Buckeyes let the clock run down to 1:13 and then take their second timeout of the half.
Score: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 23
Jeremiah Smith.
JEREMIAH SMITH!!!!!
(As an aside, if Chip Kelly had called another QB run I was going to throw the baseball I’m nervously tossing back and forth to feel like I’m in control of *something* in my life directly into the television. Chip Kelly, my family thanks you - especially my 2-year-old who has a 34 day streak of watching 10 minutes of the Paw Patrol movie.)
Now … FINISH
Suddenly, Ohio State’s back is against the wall after that last Notre Dame touchdown.
Will Howard takes a designed run for eight yards to pick up a first down and the clock ticks under three minutes to go here in this suddenly close fourth quarter.
Howard is tripped up by Adon Shuler on first-and-10 as he tries for another quarterback keeper. Howard gets no gain and Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman takes his first time out of the game.
The Buckeyes line up in shot gun and Howard runs again, and is stuffed for a one-yard loss. OSU offensive coordinator Chip Kelly getting awfully conservative here in the fourth quarter – Howard has spent much of the time taking quarterback keepers up the middle this quarter. Freeman takes another time out ahead of third-and-11 with 2:45 to go.
And then suddenly, the conservatism goes out the window!
Howard drops back to pass and unleashes a bomb down the right sideline to freshman standout wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and it’s CAUGHT! Buckeyes ball at the Irish nine-yard line after the 57-yard gain.
Two minutes to go in the game and the Buckeyes might have just sealed it.
Score: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 23
I left my family room - and my family.
The long pass from Riley Leonard to Mitchell Evans necessitated a change of venue.
That venue is my basement. Alone. In the dark, save for the TV, which is on mute.
Things then got dramatically worse.
This isn’t a healthy way to live.
Reconsidering the whole “keeping my work phone on” thing. Reconsidering a lot of things.
Score: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 23
Notre Dame is called the FIGHTING Irish for a reason…right?
It is now a one possession game after Jaden Greathouse flashed yet again.
Riley Leonard found his wide receiver for a 30-yard touchdown but the Fighting Irish weren’t done with just six.
A little trickery was in the cards with a successful two-point connection, which saw Jordan Faison find Beaux Collins to make it a eight point game.
The Fighting Irish failed to recover the onside kick as Ohio State has the ball back with just over three minutes remaining.
Score: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 23
As Notre Dame lined up for their first-and-goal, I hit the two buttons on my phone that bring up the “slide to power off” option.
Then I realized my personal phone had been off the whole game and I can’t turn my work phone off.
On second-and-goal I debated myself over whether it was really a problem turning my work phone off given the hour.
On third-and-goal, I had a sliver – like super super tiny – ray of hope that a defense who has come up huge all season would do it yet again.
Then Marcus Freeman sent the field goal team out and I started to rationalize the victory holding the Irish to three would represent.
DOINK!
Unadulterated happiness ensues … for about 10 minutes.
Obviously, that’s been completely snatched away by Ohio State’s rather quick punt.
I hate this.
After that little shot of anxiety, the Buckeyes are aiming now to just power their way to the school’s ninth national championship.
Quinshon Judkins, the leading candidate for MVP of this game, must be hungry because the Buckeyes are just feeding him over and over. He’s getting small chunks of yardage, but keeping the clock moving.
On third-and-three, the Buckeyes decide to go away from their running back and try to throw for the first down. Will Howard’s pass to Jeremiah Smith falls incomplete and for the first time today, Ohio State has to punt.
Notre Dame gets the ball back at their own 20-yard line with 6:25 left, needing a minor miracle.
Score: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 15
Things are getting scary for Notre Dame.
A long, winding drive that Notre Dame needed to come away with points ended in one big DOINK!
The usually reliable Mitch Jeter kicks the ball off the left upright – the sound seems to echo through the stadium – and through the Notre Dame fans’ hearts.
The Fighting Irish put together a 12-play, 70-yard drive highlighted by Riley Leonard’s connection with wide receiver Jaden Greathouse. Also, throw in two penalties on Ohio State defensive backs but all that went to waste with the failed field goal attempt.
Ohio State gets the ball back with just over nine minutes left.
Does Notre Dame have it in them to pull this off?
Score: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 15
