In a rare moment of complete unity, the U.S. Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a resolution honoring The Ohio State University Buckeyes for their triumph in the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship. The resolution, introduced by Ohio’s own U.S. Senators—Westlake Republican Bernie Moreno and Columbus-area Republican Jon Husted—was approved without a roll-call vote, marking a significant and well-deserved recognition of the Buckeyes’ dominance on the gridiron.
For Buckeye Nation, this resolution serves as yet another testament to the program’s excellence, both on and off the field. It commemorates the team’s remarkable journey through an historic 12-team College Football Playoff, culminating in a commanding 34-23 victory over the No. 7-seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish on January 20, 2025.
At the helm of this championship squad was head coach Ryan Day, who secured his first national title in his sixth season, bringing Ohio State’s total national championships to nine. Under his leadership, a core group of dedicated seniors, many of whom postponed their NFL aspirations for one final season, demonstrated unwavering commitment to the Scarlet and Gray.
Here is the resolution:
* Whereas, on January 20, 2025, The Ohio State University Buckeyes won the first-ever, 12-team College Football Playoff National Championship with a 34 to 23 victory over the 7-seeded Notre Dame Fighting Irish;
* Whereas head coach Ryan Day led the Buckeyes to a national championship win in his sixth year as head coach, bringing the total of national collegiate football championships won by The Ohio State University to 9;
* Whereas the Ohio State Buckeyes were led by an exemplary group of seniors, many of whom deferred the opportunity to enter the National Football League draft and returned to the school for 1 final season;
* Whereas quarterback Will Howard completed 17 of 21 passes for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns, earning the title of Offensive Most Valuable Player;
* Whereas linebacker Cody Simon recorded 8 tackles, earning the title of Defensive Most Valuable Player;
* Whereas the Ohio State Buckeyes finished the 2024 season with 14 wins and 2 losses;
* Whereas the Ohio State Buckeyes faced the most challenging path to a championship in the history of college football, playing 4 top 10-ranked teams in their path to the championship game;
* Whereas defensive end Jack Sawyer ensured the team reached the national title game with a sack and fumble return touchdown in the College Football Playoff semi-final;
* Whereas safety Caleb Downs was unanimously selected for the 2024 All-American Team, just the 39th player to receive such an honor in the history of the football program of The Ohio State University;
* Whereas center Seth McLaughlin won the Rimington Trophy as the country’s most outstanding center and was recognized as a consensus All-American;
* Whereas wide receiver Jeremiah Smith was recognized as the most outstanding wide receiver and the most outstanding freshman player in the Big Ten Conference;
* Whereas 7 Ohio State Buckeyes were selected for the All-BigTen First Team;
* Whereas The Ohio State University president, Walter ‘’Ted’‘ Carter, Jr., the senior vice president and athletics director, Ross Bjork, and the football head coach, Ryan Day, have stewarded a tradition of athletic and academic excellence at the institution;
* Whereas The Ohio State University, founded in 1870, is one of the nation’s top land-grant and sea-grant institutions, with more than 67,000 students, 15 colleges, and over 200 academic centers and institutes; and
* Whereas The Ohio State University marching band, cheer-leaders, students, faculty, alumni, and fans worldwide have supported the football team through a season filled with adversity and triumph:
Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) congratulates The Ohio State University Buckeyes football team for winning the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship;
(2) recognizes the players, coaches, staff, and fans whose hard work led to the championship; and
(3) respectfully requests that the Secretary of the Senate prepare an official copy of this resolution for presentation to—(A) the president of The Ohio State University, Walter ‘’Ted’’ Carter Jr.; (B) senior vice president and athletics director, Ross Bjork; and (C) the head coach of The Ohio State University football team, Ryan Day.