Ohio State holds off Notre Dame to capture College Football Playoff title
🏆 OHIO STATE WINS CFP TITLE, BEATS NOTRE DAME 34-23
Following kicker Jaden Fielding’s field goal to stretch Ohio State lead to 11, the Buckeyes (14-2, 7-2 Big Ten) sideline celebrated in a frenzy, understanding that they were closing in on a national championship title against Notre Dame (14-2).
The party, filled with pink and yellow confetti, commenced 27 seconds later as the Buckeyes secured its first title since 2014, winning 34-23, its ninth championship in program history.
OSU’s second-quarter performance was the backbone of its win. The team dropped 21 straight points, led 21-7 at halftime and scored 10 more points right after the break. They led 31-7 halfway through the third behind running back Quinshon Judkins three touchdowns.
The Fighting Irish gained strength as the game continued, though, scoring 16 points in the second half and making it a one-possession game after Greathouse’s one-handed touchdown grab with less than five minutes remaining.
Notre Dame was one stop away from getting the ball back, forcing the Buckeyes into 3rd and 11, but quarterback Will Howard connected with wideout Jeremiah Smith on a go-ball route to give them a first down and lead to Fielding’s field goal.
Howard was named game MVP, throwing for 231 yards on 17-21 passes for two touchdowns and 57 rushing yards.
The Buckeyes’ road to the top wasn’t easy. They beat No. 7 Tennessee, No. 1 Oregon (which they lost to during the regular season) and No. 3 Texas. The victory punches coach Ryan Day’s ticket into a prestigious room of coaches who have won a championship at Ohio State: Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel, Woody Hayes and Paul Brown.
😮 Jeremiah Smith 57-yd catch, OSU nears win
With Notre Dame making it a one-score game, Ohio State’s 3rd and 11 decision was arguably its most important play of the game yet.
That’s when Howard and Smith answered the bell.
The senior quarterback found the freshman wideout deep down the field for a 57-yard reception, his first of the second half, to put them in the red zone with less than three minutes left. And with the Fighting Irish having just one timeout remaining, the completion potentially sealed their national championship hopes.
🤯 JADEN GREATHOUSE ONE-HANDED TD
What. A. Grab.
On 3rd and 9, Leonard threw up a money ball to Greathouse streaking down the left sideline stride-for-stride with OSU cornerback Jordan Hancock. With one hand free, Greathouse made the 30-yard one-handed catch for a touchdown on arguably the matchup’s best throw-catch combination of the game.
The catch gave Greathouse his second touchdown of the game and five catches for 115 yards in the second half.
The Fighting Irish converted on the two-point attempt on a trick play to make it a one-possession game, 31-23.
Ohio State Claims College Football Playoff Title with Gritty Win Over Notre Dame
🏈 Buckeyes in the driver’s seat, lead 21-7 at half
After Notre Dame’s 10-minute opening drive, Ohio State has dominated, rolling to a 21-7 lead by the break.
The Buckeyes have gotten everything they’ve wanted and more, with two of their three touchdowns going to wide-open players. Howard completed his first 13 passes and finished the half 14-for-15, while the offense totaled 169 yards in the second quarter to ND’s 18 yards. The Fighting Irish were on offense for less than four minutes in the quarter.
Ohio State will receive the ball after halftime, and a defensive stop will be imperative for Notre Dame to turn things around and stop the bleeding.
Coincidentally, the last team to allow a touchdown on each of its opponent’s first three drives in a national championship was Notre Dame in 2013.