Eric Boggs
Ohio State fans have waited years for a moment like this, and the Buckeyes delivered on college football’s grandest stage. With a commanding 34-23 victory over Notre Dame, Ohio State claimed its ninth national championship and etched its name in history as the inaugural winner of the 12-team College Football Playoff. This victory wasn’t just another title; it was a testament to resilience, determination, and a team that came together when it mattered most.
From the opening kickoff, the Buckeyes showcased their dominance. Although Notre Dame began the game with an impressive 18-play, 75-yard drive that consumed nearly 10 minutes and ended with quarterback Riley Leonard plunging into the end zone, Ohio State quickly erased any notion of an underdog story. Will Howard orchestrated a flawless response, guiding the Buckeyes 75 yards in 11 plays, capped by Jeremiah Smith’s 8-yard touchdown reception.
The Buckeyes’ defense, stung early, clamped down on Notre Dame’s next drive, aided by the first holding penalty called against an Ohio State opponent since September. From there, Quinshon Judkins took over. Judkins’ 9-yard “grown-man run” punctuated a 76-yard drive, and he wasn’t done. By the end of the night, Judkins had compiled 100 rushing yards on just 11 carries, scored three total touchdowns, and etched his name in CFP lore with a 70-yard burst, the longest run in national championship history.
Will Howard’s precision was on full display, particularly in the first half, where he completed 14 of 15 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. His connection with Smith, Emeka Egbuka, and others kept the Notre Dame defense off balance. Howard, who transferred to Ohio State for this season, reflected after the game, “I’m blessed. I’m just so unbelievably thankful that I got a chance to be a Buckeye, even if it was just for one year.” He finished the game with 231 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 59 rushing yards, capping a season that broke Ohio State’s single-season completion percentage record.
By halftime, Ohio State led 21-7 and appeared unstoppable. Judkins’ historic run early in the second half, followed by a field goal after a failed Notre Dame fake punt, extended the lead to 31-7. But Notre Dame, led by Leonard’s gritty play, refused to fold. A pair of touchdowns, including a trick-play pass from Jordan Faison to Beaux Collins, pulled the Fighting Irish within one score late in the fourth quarter.
With 4:15 left and the momentum shifting, Ohio State needed a play to seal the game. Howard delivered. Facing a critical third-and-11, he launched a 57-yard strike to Smith, setting up Jayden Fielding’s clinching 33-yard field goal. Fielding’s kick pushed the lead to 11 with 26 seconds remaining, securing the Buckeyes’ victory and igniting a sea of scarlet and gray celebration.
Postgame, head coach Ryan Day praised his team’s journey. “I can’t say enough about our guys and what they’ve overcome to get to this point,” Day said. “This game can give you the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Tonight, we experienced the best of it.” Day became the fifth Ohio State coach to win a national championship, joining legends like Woody Hayes and Urban Meyer. Reflecting on the Buckeyes’ resilience after early-season losses to Oregon and Michigan, Day added, “These guys are going to go down in Ohio State history as one of the greatest teams ever.”
Defensively, Cody Simon and his unit rebounded after Notre Dame’s opening drive to deliver crucial stops. “We focused on winning first down, and when we did that, everything opened up,” Simon said. A missed Notre Dame field goal and red-zone stand in the second half underscored the defense’s tenacity.
The victory capped a historic season for the Buckeyes. Ohio State became the first team to defeat five top-five AP teams in one season, solidifying its place among college football’s elite. Emeka Egbuka set the program record for career receptions, Denzel Burke broke the record for most starts by a defensive player, and Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson became just the third duo in Buckeye history to rush for 1,000 yards each in a season.
The championship win also marked Ohio State’s first-ever victory in the state of Georgia, exorcising demons from their heartbreaking loss to Georgia in the 2022 Peach Bowl. As Urban Meyer, honored during the game for his upcoming Hall of Fame induction, watched from the stands, the Buckeyes’ performance felt like a passing of the torch—from one era of greatness to another.
For Ohio State fans, this national championship is more than a trophy; it’s a celebration of perseverance, excellence, and a team that will forever be remembered as one of the greatest in Buckeye history.
