Ohio State wins ninth national championship, defeating Notre Dame

ATLANTA (WCMH) -- Mission complete. Ohio State defeated Notre Dame 34-23 on Monday night in the first national championship game of the 12-team playoff era, claiming its first title in a decade and ninth overall.

The victory caps off a remarkable playoff run that featured four straight wins, including two over SEC teams, in the aftermath of the late November loss to Michigan, handing coach Ryan Day his first national championship with Ohio State.

The Buckeyes overcame an early deficit and led by as much as 24 points in the second half before the Irish tried to make a late run. The win marks Ohio State's seventh in a row against Notre Dame.

Fourth quarter photos

Quarterback Will Howard set a playoff championship game record by completing his first 13 passes. Receiver Emeka Egbuka set a school record by surpassing KJ Hill for most career receptions.

With Notre Dame challenging in the fourth quarter, Howard connected with Jeremiah Smith on a 57-yard pass with two minutes remaining. Jayden Fielding connected on a field goal moments later to leave the Irish with too little time to come back.

Third quarter photos

In the first quarter, the Irish used an 18-play, 75-yard drive that lasted nearly ten minutes to get on the board first, with quarterback Riley Leonard scoring a one-yard touchdown. The Buckeyes answered back in the second quarter on their opening drive with quarterback Will Howard connecting with Jeremiah Smith for an eight yard touchdown.

OSU took the lead thanks to a 9-yard run by Quinshon Judkins with 6:15 to go in the half. Judkins struck again after catching a six yard pass from Howard with 27 seconds left before the break, extending the lead to 21-7.

Ohio State came out of the locker room and exploded with a 70-yard run by Judkins on the second play of the third quarter. The Ole Miss transfer finished out the drive with a one-yard touchdown run, scoring for the third time and reaching 50 career touchdowns. Jayden Fielding nailed a 46-yard field goal to make it 31-7 with 7:52 to go in the third.

Second quarter photos

The Irish got back on the board for the first time since their opening drive after Leonard threw a 34-yard touchdown to Jaden Greathouse. Leonard was able to convert for two points with a toss to Jeremiyah Love to get Notre Dame within 16 with 3:03 left in the third.

Then in the fourth, Leonard connected with Greathouse again, this time for a 30-yard touchdown. Jordan Faison found Beaux Collins for the two-point conversion to pull the Irish within eight with 4:15 to go.

The Buckeyes seek their ninth title and first since 2015, the first year of the College Football Playoff. The Fighting Irish are in a national title game for the first time since 2013 and look to end a drought that dates to 1988.

A win would be the first for coach Ryan Day since he took over the Buckeyes program in 2019. OSU also looks to extend its win streak against Notre Dame to seven games. The Irish haven't beaten Ohio State since 1936.

First quarter photos

Pregame Photo Gallery