Ohio State quarterback Will Howard wanted to prove he was the best quarterback in the CFP playoffs, if not college football.
The transfer joined the Buckeyes last offseason envisioning an opportunity to play for a national championship.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard was in a similar situation.
Entering Monday’s title game matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, much of the pregame revolved around the two signal-callers: Howard vs. Leonard.
Howard turned his vision into reality as the Buckeyes overcame a fourth consecutive defeat to rival Michigan in the regular-season finale to romp through the postseason, capped by a 34-23 victory over the Fighting Irish.
Before 77,660 in attendance, the second-best crowd in the CFP era, Howard started strong, completing a title-game record 13 consecutive first-half passes. Howard guided the Buckeyes to 31 answered points and withstood a late rally.
Facing a third-and-11 situation with 2:45 remaining in the fourth quarter the Fighting Irish crawling back to within eight points, Howard clinched the title with a 57-yard bomb to wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.
The Buckeyes, who were also paced by running back Quinshon Judkins’ three touchdowns, settled for a field goal, clinching the program’s ninth national title and first since 2014.
X (Twitter) users responded to the high cost of witnessing a national championship game. Worth it? …
Ask this guy if he went to Ohio State https://t.co/wWAptcCg7n
— Rick “Dozer” Cardoza (@RickyHUNGdoza) January 21, 2025
The Fighting Irish had the look …
𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞#GoIrish | #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/V44fcpbqBE
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) January 20, 2025
The stars came out to support the Buckeyes …
That’s a sweet jacket https://t.co/yXD9eeVqlk
— ROBREDS () (@vogcinreds) January 21, 2025
Here’s a pregame breakdown on the opposing two quarterbacks …
The similarities between Will Howard and Riley Leonard 😮 pic.twitter.com/rCvzwpRXod
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 21, 2025
Leonard engineered an 18-play, 75-yard drive on Notre Dame’s opening possession. Leonard carried the ball on half of the calls and converted two fourth-down rushes on draws. He had 65 all-purpose yards on the series …
After scoring Notre Dame’s first touchdown in the natty, QB Riley Leonard points to a scripture reference on his wristband.
Matthew 23:12, “Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.”@rileyleonard13_ @NDFootball pic.twitter.com/rSgUucCoI1
— Denny Burk (@DennyBurk) January 21, 2025
The Buckeyes, who have scored on their opening possession during all four playoff outings, responded with Howard connecting with Smith off a creative 8-yard screen play…
The Buckeyes answer as Will Howard finds Jeremiah Smith for a score!
Smith legitimately might be the best player on the field tonight as a true freshman…#CFB #CFBPlayoff #NationalChampionship #NotreDame #OhioState #BroItsFootball https://t.co/vqqMKK2z47
— Bro, it’s football. (@BroItsFootball) January 21, 2025
A holding call in the Buckeyes? Really. On a 2-and-15 play at the 13:57 mark of the second quarter, Notre Dame’s Charles Jagusah was called for the elusive penalty, the first against a Buckeyes opponent since Sept. 21, covering 12 games and 747 snaps. It aided in forcing Notre Dame to punt …
BREAKING NEWS: OHIO STATE FINALLY GOT A HOLDING CALL IN THEIR FAVOR! #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/rDFCmVGwtl
— THE Bunch of Nuts Podcast (@bunch_nuts) January 21, 2025
The Buckeyes started 2-for-2 on TD drives as Judkins scored on a 9-yard run …
Quinshon Judkins with tough, rugged goal-line running, touchdown! #OSUvsND #OhioState #Buckeyes #NationalChampionship #NotreDamepic.twitter.com/RhdkDC6NAJ
— Jay7 (@LJayy7) January 21, 2025
The Buckeyes finished the first half 3-for-3 on TD drives as Judkins scored a 6-yard pass from Howard …
There's no stopping the Buckeyes 😤
Quinshon Judkins' second touchdown of the game gives the Buckeyes a 14-point lead 👏 pic.twitter.com/ynAqYkQZw7
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 21, 2025
Did Someone forget about Michigan the past four seasons? …
When Ohio State plays Ohio State football, no team in the country can beat them. No team can even come close. #CFP #NationalChampionship
— Gambling Addict (@agshOapznxbs) January 21, 2025
The Buckeyes opened the second half by going 4-for-4 on TD drives, highlighted by Judkins’ 70-yard run. Three plays later the transfer running back notched his third score on a 1-yard run …
Quinshon Judkins can't be stopped ‼️
🎥 @ESPNCFB | #CFBPlayoff pic.twitter.com/3ATbpdSxOr
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 21, 2025
The Buckeyes continued their scoring spree by going 5-for-5. This time, however, they were held to a 46-yard field goal by kicker Jayden Fielding, extending their lead to 31-7 with 6:10 remaining in the second half …
Jayden Fielding is a DAWG #PMSCFPNATTYESPN2 pic.twitter.com/eQvp1fy3Rh
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 21, 2025
Pausing the Buckeyes avalanche of 31 consecutive points 3:07 later, Leonard connected with slot receiver Jaden Greathouse on a 34-yard TD. Leonard then hit Jeremiyah Love for a 2-point conversion to breathe a little life into the game …
This is a nifty as hell catch and run touchdown for Notre Dame wideout Jaden Greathouse, who’s been balling in the playoff and is setting himself up for a big junior season. pic.twitter.com/ISAZxKt35d
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) January 21, 2025
The Fighting Irish took bigger breaths of life after Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa recovered an Emeka Egbuka fumble on the Buckeyes’ next possession. The Buckeyes’ all-time leading receiver could hold on to the punch out …
NOTRE DAME FORCES THE FUMBLE ON EMEKA EGBUKA 👀
A big turnover from the Fighting Irish defense 💪 pic.twitter.com/DOhbigd6r1
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) January 21, 2025
Down by 16, the sudden change led to a missed 27-yard field goal by Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter. Not going for a TD? The comeback life left the Fighting Irish again …
JETER MISSES THE KICK 😱
NOTRE DAME COMES UP WITH ZERO POINTS ON THAT DRIVE 😳 pic.twitter.com/bFLoWhKr3t
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) January 21, 2025
Final score: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 23 …
O̶n̶e̶ ̶m̶o̶r̶e̶,t̶h̶e̶n̶ Forever. pic.twitter.com/9YchOaLm7V
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 21, 2025
