This year’s college football season has officially wrapped up, with Ohio State taking home the National Championship after their 34-23 win over Notre Dame.
Notre Dame started the game strong, taking a 7-0 lead with an 18-play touchdown drive, during which quarterback Riley Leonard ran the ball nine times. However, Ohio State then took control, scoring touchdowns on each of their first four offensive drives.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard completed his first 13 passes against the Irish, setting a record for the most consecutive completions in a CFP championship game. Howard had a hot start in the first half, throwing for 144 yards on 14-of-15 passing with two touchdowns and no turnovers, leading the Buckeyes to a 21-7 halftime lead.
Notre Dame managed to score two touchdowns and successfully converted two 2-point conversions in the second half after trailing 31-7, narrowing the gap to within one score late in the fourth quarter. However, Ohio State sealed the game with a 56-yard completion on third down the following possession.
Howard earned offensive MVP honors, finishing with 231 yards on 17-of-21 passing, two touchdowns, and 57 rushing yards on 16 carries, all without turnovers. Running back Quinshon Judkins also had a strong performance, rushing for 100 yards on 11 carries with two touchdowns and adding five receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown.
Ohio State wins their 7th national championship and becomes the fifth team in the AP Poll era to win the national championship without winning its conference title. The other teams to achieve this feat are the 1936 Minnesota team, 2011 Alabama, 2017 Alabama, and 2021 Georgia.
Top Plays!
Quinshon Judkin’s 70-yard runJudkins goes 70 yds to the 5, ND is in trouble pic.twitter.com/Pzy0LVqfRW
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) January 21, 2025
Riley Leonard’s 30-yard TD pass to Jaden Greathouse late in the fourth quarterNOTRE DAME TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/9MVA9v31Z1
— The Sports Place (@offsportsplace) January 21, 2025
Jordan Faison to Beaux Collins to for the two-point conversion to get the game within 8TWO POINT CONVERSION! NOTRE DAME ONLY DOWN ONE SCORE NOW pic.twitter.com/k3XHVV1PQJ
— The Sports Place (@offsportsplace) January 21, 2025
Will Howard’s 56-yard pass to Jeremiah Smith on third down to ice the gameJEREMIAH. SMITH. THIS KID IS UNREAL. pic.twitter.com/0F0oaTthUr
— The Sports Place (@offsportsplace) January 21, 2025
