History was made on Monday night as the Ohio State Buckeyes, improbably seeded #8, defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23 to win the College Football Playoff National Championship in Los Angeles. Powered by a transcendent performance from Kansas State transfer quarterback Will Howard and bruising sophomore running back Quinshon Judkins, the Buckeyes overcame long odds to claim their first national title since 2015 – and ninth overall.
The thrilling victory capped a Cinderella run for Ohio State, who snuck into the expanded 12-team playoff field after a tumultuous 10-2 regular season. But under the bright lights of SoFi Stadium, the Buckeyes proved they belonged, outclassing a game Notre Dame squad to etch their name in the history books.
Howard, Judkins Shine on Biggest Stage
Ohio State’s dynamic offensive duo was simply unstoppable. Howard, the unheralded graduate transfer who stabilized the QB position midseason, turned in a performance for the ages. The dual-threat signal caller completed 80% of his passes for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns while adding 68 rushing yards. His poise, precision and playmaking magic had the Irish defense on its heels all night.
“Will was just incredible out there, making plays left and right. His confidence is infectious and he put the team on his back. This is why he came to Columbus – to be a legend.”
– Ohio State head coach Ryan Day
Meanwhile, the 220-pound Judkins hammered Notre Dame between the tackles, plowing his way to 143 yards and 2 touchdowns on 27 punishing carries. His relentless, physical running style personified the toughness of this Ohio State team.
Freshman Star Smith Has Coming Out Party
Overshadowed coming in by Notre Dame’s star-studded roster, it was a pair of Ohio State true freshmen who stole the show. Electric receiver Jeremiah Smith announced his presence as a future superstar, torching the Irish secondary for 7 catches, 129 yards and the game-sealing 38-yard touchdown on a critical 4th quarter drive.
- Smith’s Final Line: 7 rec, 129 yds, 1 TD
- Longest Reception: 51 yards
On the other side of the ball, freshman defensive end J.T. Carver was a one-man wrecking crew. The nation’s top recruit lived up to the hype, registering 4 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and numerous pressures. His speed off the edge gave Notre Dame’s offensive line fits.
Buckeye Defense Bends But Doesn’t Break
Though gashed for an opening-drive touchdown, defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ unit buckled down and largely contained Notre Dame’s high-powered attack the rest of the way. The Irish managed just two offensive touchdowns and were held to 3 points in the decisive fourth quarter.
Junior linebacker Tommy Eichenberg was everywhere, racking up a game-high 13 tackles and a key 4th quarter interception that set up Judkins’ final TD plunge. The veteran leader anchored a young Buckeye defense that got crucial stops when it mattered most.
Day Silences Critics, Secures Ohio State Legacy
After years of postseason frustration and whispers that he couldn’t win the big one, 5th year head coach Ryan Day finally got his national championship moment. The 44-year-old’s deft handling of a turbulent season and bold playoff gameplans proved his chops as one of football’s premier strategists.
“This team just never quit. We had plenty of reasons to give up, but that’s not what Buckeyes do. I’m so proud of how they fought. This was for Buckeye Nation!”
– Ryan Day
While Ohio State’s 2022 team fell short, that experience galvanized this year’s group. Day pushed all the right buttons to get the Buckeyes peaking at the perfect time. His place in the pantheon of Ohio State coaching greats is now secure.
A New Era Dawns in Columbus
With a roster stacked with young talent like Judkins, Smith and Carver, Ohio State appears built to contend for championships for years to come. Howard’s instant legend status also gives Day the elite QB play his system demands.
The future is blindingly bright for Buckeye football. And while the path to this title was far from smooth, that only made the triumph sweeter. The Ohio State faithful will savor this euphoric moment after the agony of recent CFP failures.
“This is what I came here for – to be legendary. I’m a Buckeye for life!”
– Will Howard
As the scarlet and gray confetti rained down on the jubilant Buckeyes, one thing was clear – Ohio State is back on top of the college football world. And this could be just the beginning of a new dynasty for the sport’s most storied program. The legend of the 2025 national champion Buckeyes starts now.
