Eric Boggs
In a game that saw Ohio State capture its first national title since 2014, the Buckeyes took down Notre Dame 34-23 in a hard-fought battle. While the scoreboard showed an 11-point margin, discussions on The OHIO Podcast highlighted the highs and lows of Ohio State’s performance and sparked debates about their final report card for the season.
Offensive Performance: Mixed Reviews
Ohio State’s offense, led by quarterback Devin Brown, totaled 445 yards, including 231 passing and 214 rushing, for an average of 7.2 yards per play. The Buckeyes dominated time of possession with 32 minutes and converted an impressive 9-of-12 third downs. However, a costly fumble by wide receiver Emeka Egbuka and a tendency to ease off the gas in the fourth quarter prevented a higher grade from the hosts.
Chris Wilds graded the offense an A-minus, citing penalties and turnovers as the primary reasons for not awarding a full A. Cory Thompson opted for a B-plus, criticizing head coach Ryan Day’s tendency to switch to a conservative “Tressel Ball” approach late in games. Meanwhile, Eric Boggs handed out an A, praising the team’s ability to score 34 points against one of the nation’s top defenses.
“Notre Dame was one of the better defenses we faced this year,” Boggs noted. “We owned the middle eight minutes of the game, and that was the difference. While there were some miscues, putting up 34 in a national championship game is impressive.”
Defensive Performance: Strong but Imperfect
Ohio State’s defense held Notre Dame to 308 total yards, including just 53 rushing yards, and forced the Irish to rely heavily on their passing attack. Despite these efforts, the unit faced criticism for missed tackles, penalties, and a lack of turnovers.
Wilds gave the defense a B-minus, emphasizing penalties and moments of poor execution. “We allowed Notre Dame to stay in the game longer than they should have. Tackling was sloppy, and the lack of aggressiveness at times was frustrating.”
Thompson echoed these sentiments but was slightly more generous with a B grade. “The defense wasn’t as sharp as they’ve been all season. Playing four top-ten teams back-to-back is brutal, though, and they still came up with key stops when it mattered.”
Boggs rounded out the discussion with a B-plus, acknowledging fatigue but praising the defensive line, particularly Tyleik Williams and J.T. Tuimoloau. “Winning against teams like Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame in consecutive weeks is no easy feat. This defense stepped up when it counted.”
Key Takeaways and Looking Ahead
As the Buckeyes celebrate their national title, fans and analysts alike are already looking ahead to the 2025 season opener against Texas in the Shoe. With a core of returning talent and lessons learned from this season, Ohio State is poised to remain a force in college football.
For now, though, the Buckeyes and their fans can revel in the glory of another championship season.
