Ohio State has reclaimed its place atop college football, defeating Notre Dame 34-23 in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff National Championship. The Buckeyes secured their ninth national title in program history with a dominant performance, powered by a stellar first half and key plays down the stretch.
Fast Start, Early Dominance
The Buckeyes came out firing, scoring on their first five possessions to take control. Quarterback Will Howard was nearly flawless in the first half, completing 14 of 15 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns, while Quinshon Judkins added three touchdowns to help Ohio State jump to a 31-7 lead.
Notre Dame, led by quarterback Riley Leonard, initially struck first with a 75-yard drive that ate up nearly 10 minutes of clock. Leonard capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. Ohio State quickly responded, marching downfield for an 11-play, 75-yard drive capped by an 8-yard touchdown from Jeremiah Smith, tying the game at 7-7.
Late Rally Falls Short for Notre Dame
Though Ohio State dominated for much of the game, Notre Dame mounted a strong second-half rally. The Irish scored 16 consecutive points—two touchdowns and two two-point conversions—to pull within 8 points. However, Ohio State’s defense held firm, and a clutch third-down connection between Howard and Smith helped seal the win.
Game Highlights:
- Will Howard: 231 passing yards, 2 touchdowns
- Jeremiah Smith: Crucial 57-yard reception late in the fourth quarter
- Quinshon Judkins: 100 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, 1 receiving touchdown
- Ohio State scored on its first four possessions
- Notre Dame’s late 16-point surge came up short
Key Moment: With under three minutes remaining, Howard connected with Smith for a pivotal 57-yard reception on third-and-11, essentially clinching the championship for Ohio State.
This victory marks Ohio State’s sixth national championship in the College Football Playoff era and their first since 2014.
Game Score
Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total
#8 Ohio State 0 | 21 | 10 | 3 | 34
#7 Notre Dame 7 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 23
Date/Location: Jan. 20, 2025 • Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA