Ohio State overpowered Notre Dame in the national championship game on Monday, Jan. 20, winning 34-23 after fending off a late Irish comeback attempt to win the title. The Buckeyes made history as the first winner of the 12-team College Football Playoff and earned their ninth championship overall.
Ohio State’s first 10 minutes did not go according to script. Notre Dame drove 75 yards in 18 plays to take a 7-0 lead. The Irish believed they had found a way to win the game—run the ball and run the clock.
However, Irish head coach Marcus Freeman said that strategy only worked on the opening drive due to some self-inflicted wounds. “You look at the second series; we had two penalties that forced us to punt, and the third series, we had the missed communication with the muffed snap, and that’s the end of the half,” said Freeman. “So, I think it was the two series after the first one we didn’t execute.”
From there, it was mainly Ohio State. Quarterback Will Howard threw a pair of touchdown passes and had the Irish defense searching for answers. The Buckeyes built a 31-7 lead, and after Quinshon Judkins scored the second of his two touchdowns to begin the third quarter, it looked like the game was over.
Give Notre Dame credit; they didn’t quit, scoring twice in the final 18 minutes, but the hole was too deep. A third and 11 pass from Howard to Jeremiah Smith with under three minutes to go went for 56 yards and secured the win.
Ohio State finished the season with a 14-2 record, beating their four playoff opponents by an average of nearly 18 points a game.
It’s the Buckeyes’ first national championship in a decade. They won the inaugural four-team playoff in 2014. Late this season, Ohio State fans were vocal about a possible coaching change after a loss to Michigan in the regular season finale. Now, they’ve earned the ultimate prize.
“We responded to tough times,” said head coach Ryan Day. “Man, isn’t that what life’s all about? These guys learned life lessons, but they’re going to go down in Ohio State history as one of the greatest teams to ever play at Ohio State after all the things that were said throughout the year.“
As for how the 12-team playoff was received, the university presidents who oversee the tournament have asked conference commissioners to review how this first year went and recommend any format changes. Those discussions will continue through the spring.
