Eric Boggs
The ultimate goal of the national championship game is simple: score more points than the opponent. However, for Ohio State, Monday night’s season finale against Notre Dame holds opportunities for individual and team accomplishments that could rewrite the record books and further solidify the Buckeyes’ legacy in college football.
Ohio State has the chance to achieve a historic milestone by becoming the first team in college football history to defeat five teams ranked in the top five of the AP poll during a single season. With victories already secured against No. 3 Penn State and No. 5 Indiana in the regular season, as well as No. 1 Oregon and No. 4 Texas in the College Football Playoff (CFP) quarterfinals and semifinals, a win over No. 3 Notre Dame would break the current record held by 2019 LSU, 1967 USC, and 1943 Notre Dame. This unprecedented achievement would highlight the Buckeyes’ dominance and resilience throughout the 2024 season.
While team success is paramount, several Ohio State players could achieve individual milestones and set new records during the championship game. These accomplishments would serve as a testament to their hard work and skill over the course of their collegiate careers.
Emeka Egbuka’s Career Receiving Milestones
Wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is poised to etch his name into Ohio State’s record books. He needs just three receptions to surpass K.J. Hill’s school record of 201 career catches. Additionally, with 95 receiving yards against Notre Dame, Egbuka could break Michael Jenkins’ record of 2,898 career receiving yards. Though challenging, this milestone is within reach, as Egbuka has achieved 95-yard games 10 times in his career.
Egbuka also needs 53 receiving yards to reach 1,000 yards for the season. Accomplishing this would make him only the second Ohio State receiver to achieve multiple 1,000-yard seasons, joining former teammate Marvin Harrison Jr.
Will Howard’s Passing Efficiency
Quarterback Will Howard enters the game with a season completion percentage of 72.6%. Maintaining a completion rate above 72% after Monday night would allow Howard to break Ohio State’s single-season completion percentage record, previously set by C.J. Stroud at 71.9% in 2021. Additionally, if Howard’s career completion percentage remains above 70%, he will surpass Dwayne Haskins as the Buckeyes’ all-time leader in that category.
Howard also has the opportunity to tie Craig Krenzel’s single-season record of 14 wins as an Ohio State quarterback, further solidifying his place in Buckeye history.
Running Backs Chasing 1,000 Yards
Running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins are both on the verge of eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards for the season. Henderson enters the game with 967 yards, needing just 33 more to reach the milestone. Judkins, with 960 yards, requires 40. If both achieve this feat, they would become only the third Buckeye duo to rush for 1,000 yards in the same season, joining Archie Griffin and Pete Johnson in 1975 and Carlos Hyde and Braxton Miller in 2013.
For Henderson, this would mark his second 1,000-yard season, placing him among an elite group of 10 Buckeyes who have accomplished the feat multiple times. Judkins, who has previously achieved this milestone twice at Ole Miss, would become the 26th Buckeye to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season.
Denzel Burke’s Defensive Legacy
Cornerback Denzel Burke is set to make history with his 51st start for Ohio State, surpassing Luke Fickell’s record for the most starts by a defensive player in program history. Burke, who has started every game he’s played since his debut in 2021, will move into second place all-time for starts by any Buckeye, trailing only Billy Price’s 55 starts from 2014 to 2017.
Monday night’s national championship game represents more than just a contest for a title. For Ohio State, it’s a chance to cement their place in history with both team and individual accolades. As Buckeye fans, we eagerly anticipate witnessing history unfold and celebrating the culmination of a remarkable season. Go Bucks!
