By: Adrian Beecher
ATLANTA, GA- On a night to remember at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23, securing their first national championship in 10 years. This historic victory not only ended a decade-long drought but also cemented Ohio State as the first team to win both the four-team and 12-team College Football Playoff formats.
And here’s how it all went down:
Ohio State won the coin toss and deferred, giving Notre Dame the ball to start the game. The Irish came out strong, with quarterback Riley Leonard leading a methodical 18-play, 75-yard drive that chewed up nine minutes and 45 seconds of the clock. The record-setting drive, the longest by plays in CFP Championship history, ended with Leonard punching it in from one yard out on a quarterback keeper to give Notre Dame an early 7-0 lead.
After that, however, the Irish offense went ice cold. Over their next four possessions, they ran just 11 plays and managed only 11 total yards, as Ohio State’s defense clamped down. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes were just getting started.
Will Howard, later named Offensive Player of the Game, took charge with confidence and precision. The senior quarterback completed his first 13 passes—a CFP Championship record—and methodically guided the Buckeyes downfield. Early in the second quarter, he connected with Jeremiah Smith on an eight-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7.
From there, the momentum firmly shifted in Ohio State’s favor. The Buckeyes’ defense forced Notre Dame into back-to-back punts, and Quinshon Judkins showed why he’s one of the nation’s premier running backs. The junior bulldozed his way to a nine-yard touchdown to give Ohio State a 14-7 lead. As halftime approached, Howard orchestrated a flawless two-minute drill, capping it with a six-yard touchdown pass to Judkins. The Buckeyes entered the locker room with a commanding 21-7 lead after outscoring Notre Dame 21-0 in the second quarter.
The second half opened with more fireworks. On just the second play of the third quarter, Judkins broke free for a 70-yard run that electrified the Buckeyes’ sideline and silenced the Irish faithful. Three plays later, he finished the drive with a one-yard touchdown, extending Ohio State’s lead to 28-7.
Notre Dame, desperate for a spark, tried a fake punt on their next possession from their own 33-yard line, but it backfired, handing Ohio State excellent field position. Although the Irish defense held firm and forced a field goal, the Buckeyes stretched their lead to 31-7.
The Irish refused to fold. Late in the third quarter, Leonard found Jaden Greathouse for a 34-yard touchdown, which was only initially a 5-yard completion. Greathouse shook off multiple defenders and sprinted into the end zone, energizing the Notre Dame sideline. After a successful two-point conversion, the Irish cut the deficit to 31-15.
Momentum seemed to swing even further in Notre Dame’s favor early in the fourth quarter when they recovered a fumble as Ohio State was threatening in their territory. But the Irish couldn’t capitalize, as a missed 27-yard field goal left points on the board. Ohio State’s defense, anchored by Defensive Player of the Game Cody Simon, tightened its grip, keeping the Irish in check when it mattered most.
Jayden Fielding’s 33-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach. As the clock ticked down, the Buckeyes began to celebrate their hard-fought 34-23 victory.
Final Stats and Standout Performances
Will Howard delivered a near-flawless performance, completing 17 of 21 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns while adding 57 rushing yards. His ability to convert on third down kept Ohio State’s offense humming all night. Jeremiah Smith led the receiving corps with five catches for 88 yards and a touchdown, while Emeka Egbuka contributed 64 yards on six catches.
Quinshon Judkins made his presence felt in every phase of the game, rushing 11 times for 100 yards, including the electrifying 70-yard run in the third quarter. He also scored two touchdowns—one rushing and one receiving—cementing his role as the heart of the Buckeyes’ offensive attack.
For Notre Dame, Riley Leonard battled valiantly, throwing for 255 yards and two touchdowns while adding 40 rushing yards. Jaden Greathouse shined bright, hauling in six receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns. But the Irish struggled to establish the run, managing just 53 rushing yards against Ohio State’s stout defense.
A Championship to Remember
During the Tuesday morning champions press conference, head coach Ryan Day reflected on what the victory meant for his team and the program.
“Just waking up this morning, just grateful that we had an opportunity to be with this team, and certainly I would say that everything that came with the season and all the hard work was worth it. It was worth it,” Day said.
“I’m proud of these guys. And again, we’ll go down in history and cement themselves as champions. I said it before, that there’s been some great teams in Ohio State history, nine who are national champs, but in the last, I think it’s 53 years, up until this game there’s only been two that have been national champs, and this is the third right here.”
For the Buckeyes, the 2025 national championship wasn’t just about the trophy—it was about the journey, the moments of resilience, and the collective belief that carried them to the mountaintop. With confetti falling and the trophy raised high, Ohio State walked off the field as champions, their legacy forever etched in the history of college football.
Image Credit: Adrian Beecher
