Ohio State defeated Notre Dame 34-23 to win the College Football Playoff National Championship in Atlanta, Georgia. The playoff selection committee could not have gotten a better matchup in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. The Buckeyes are fourth all-time in program wins. Notre Dame is second. These two programs are college football bluebloods. Can you imagine a better matchup in the first final of this format?
Quinshon Judkins Stars As Ohio State Wins
Notre Dame was successful when it got its playmakers in space on the perimeter. It also did a good job running between the tackles in short-yardage situations. It did not do either nearly enough.
Nevertheless, Notre Dame had no answer for many of the Buckeye offensive stars. Primary among them was Quinshon Judkins, who had a pair of first half touchdowns, one rushing, and one receiving. He was one half of an amazing running back tandem for Ohio State this season. Judkins added a third quarter touchdown and had 11 rushes for 100 yards, including a 70-yard run. He also had 2 catches for 21 yards. Buckeye fans everywhere hope he comes back for his senior season.
Scoring Summary
Notre Dame Quarterback Riley Leonard scored a rushing touchdown to give the Fighting Irish a quick 7-0 lead. It was the only score of the first quarter.
At the beginning of the second quarter Ohio State Wide Receiver Jeremiah Smith, who else, scored and tied the game at 7-7. Judkins scored a rushing touchdown in the second quarter as the Buckeyes took a 14-7 lead. Judkins then caught a touchdown from OSU QB Will Howard to give the Buckeyes a 21-7 lead with 27 seconds to go in the first half. Judkins scored his third touchdown to give Ohio State a 28-7 lead early in the third quarter.
Ohio State Kicker Jayden Fielding made a 46-yard field goal to give the Buckeyes a 31-7 lead. That tied his season long. Notre Dame scored a touchdown and got the two-point conversion to cut the Ohio State lead to 31-15. Notre Dame Wide Receiver Jayden Greathouse caught a 31-yard touchdown pass. That was the score at the end of the third quarter.
Greathouse scored a fourth quarter touchdown and Notre Dame successfully converted the two-point conversion. That cut the lead to 31 to 23. Fielding hit a 33-yard field goal to give Ohio State a 34-23 lead. That was the final score.
Seniors Go Out in Style
Ohio State has 15 seniors on their roster. That number includes several stars who could have turned professional but came back. Buckeye Captain Jack Sawyer is an example of this. The number also includes several high-profile transfers like Howard. Regardless of their pedigree, the seniors wanted to win a national championship. They did.
Game Notes
- Ohio State won the coin toss. It was an omen.
- 79,330 people attended the game. It was about 50/50 Ohio State and Notre Dame fans.
- Notre Dame got 44 rushing yards on their first drive, an example of ball control as the Fighting Irish held the ball for almost ten minutes and the drive was 18 plays long. That was the only time in the college football playoff Ohio State had trailed.
- In the second quarter, Notre Dame was called for holding. It was the first time since the Marshall game that an opponent of Ohio State was called for holding.
- In his last game for the Buckeyes Emeka Egbuka had a big game with 6 receptions and 77 total yards. He now holds the OSU record for receptions. But he did have a big fumble to start the fourth quarter, but Notre Dame failed to capitalize on it.
- Archie Griffin was the honorary captain for Ohio State.
- Howard started the game with 13 straight completions. That tied a championship game record. The Buckeyes scored touchdowns on all three of its first half drives.
- Buckeye Defensive Back Davison Igbinosun committed his 15th and 16th penalties of the year to lead college football.
- Ohio State punted for the only time in the fourth quarter.
Familiar Foes Faced Off
The College Football Playoff National Championship was the ninth time OSU and Notre Dame have met. The Buckeyes held a 6-2 all-time series lead and have won the last six games, including two Fiesta Bowls. These two bluebloods have met often. One would think with the geographic proximity of these two programs, they would play more often. It is the third straight season Ohio State and Notre Dame have played.
Conclusion
It is Ohio State’s ninth national championship and the Buckeyes saved Head Coach Ryan Day’s job. It is difficult to imagine a team having a more difficult road to a national championship, but the Buckeyes did it. It is the season of winning at Ohio State as ten Buckeye sports teams are ranked in the top 15 of their sport. All Buckeyes are winning.