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ATLANTA — The atmosphere in the stadium was electrifying as the game unfolded. A crucial pass thrown by Ohio State quarterback Will Howard on third-and-11 took what felt like an eternity to reach its destination. In that vital moment, with time ticking down in the fourth quarter, Howard’s throw floated gently into the arms of wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, sealing a 34-23 victory for Ohio State over Notre Dame. This win marked the Buckeyes’ sixth national championship, breaking a decade-long drought.
The pivotal 56-yard pass played a decisive role in halting a spirited comeback attempt by Notre Dame and crowned Ohio State as the champions of the inaugural 12-team playoff format. This win came exactly ten years after they claimed their first title in a four-team playoff structure.
Reflecting on the moment, Howard shared, “They were in man coverage, and I thought, ‘I’m going to take the shot and trust he’ll make the play.’” It was a dramatic departure from Ohio State’s historically conservative offensive strategy which was often summed up with, “Three yards and a cloud of dust.”
Astonishingly, this victory seemed unlikely just seven weeks prior—a 13-10 loss to Michigan left Ohio State fans in turmoil about their team’s future and speculating about the fate of head coach Ryan Day.
“This is an incredible narrative about a group of players who faced adversity and kept fighting despite being counted out,” Day remarked. The game unfolded in a packed stadium smack in the heart of SEC territory, with Ohio State and Notre Dame fans divided by vibrant colors—red for Ohio State and green for Notre Dame.
After trailing 31-7, Notre Dame managed to score two touchdowns with successful two-point conversions, narrowing the gap to just one score late in the fourth quarter. The in-stadium cameras caught legendary Irish coach Lou Holtz in his box, undeterred by the jeering Buckeye supporters, giving them a thumbs-up.
As the clock wound down, Notre Dame’s defense halted the Buckeyes on their initial plays, employing their timeouts judiciously. On this critical play, cornerback Christian Gray, who previously made a key interception against Penn State, was assigned to cover Smith. Smith evaded Gray along the sideline, allowing Howard to connect with him for a remarkable catch.
This success set up an important field goal, energizing the crowd and allowing Ohio State to cover the 8.5-point spread at BetMGM Sportsbook. Notre Dame’s coach Marcus Freeman acknowledged the challenge of covering such a skilled player, stating, “It was do or die; he’s tough to defend.”
Howard, having made a successful transition from Kansas State, amassed 231 yards and two touchdowns throughout the game, but his defining moment was his throw to Smith in a time of need. Smith, who had struggled to make his mark in the semifinal and early parts of this game, finished with five receptions for 88 yards, demonstrating his playmaking ability. “At that moment, we wanted to give Jeremiah a shot,” explained Day. “We hadn’t targeted him much, but I felt we should seize the moment and be aggressive.”
Ohio State had appeared poised for victory earlier in the match, scoring touchdowns on their first four possessions and following up with a field goal on the fifth. Quinshon Judkins, a notable transfer from Mississippi, played a crucial role with a 70-yard run that set up a score, pushing the lead to 28-7—a moment that appeared to secure the game for the Buckeyes.
However, the tide began to change for Notre Dame, leading to uncomfortable questions for Freeman regarding a failed fake punt that resulted in Ohio State extending their lead to 31-7. The decision to send Mitch Jeter in for a short field goal while down by 16 points on fourth-and-goal from the 9 also raised eyebrows when his kick missed the mark. Freeman defended the choice, reasoning that scoring 14 points remained a viable option as they navigated a two-score game.
Ultimately, though, Ohio State’s superiority was evident throughout the match. The Buckeyes amassed 445 yards compared to Notre Dame’s 308, with Howard completing an impressive streak of 13 consecutive passes and showing resilience, as the team only punted once during the game.
Eliminating any concerns from their earlier season blemish against Michigan, Ohio State demonstrated dominance throughout the recently expanded playoff, averaging a score of 36-21 across their contests. Despite being seeded eighth in the playoffs, seeding proved irrelevant, as underdog teams triumphed in earlier rounds, setting the stage for this title match showdown.
This victory ushered in an end to a tumultuous season for Ohio State, allowing Day to breathe a sigh of relief as he secured his place alongside esteemed coaches in program history, namely Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel, Woody Hayes, and Paul Brown. Day’s impressive .873 winning percentage ranks him among the elite, trailing only behind the legendary Knute Rockne.
Despite the defeat, Notre Dame continues to grapple with significant questions, notably the quest for a first Black head coach to win a national title, a goal Freeman aimed to achieve. However, this victory also cemented Ohio State’s legacy, marking the first time the Big Ten has secured consecutive titles since 1942—a fitting celebration for a conference year that still left Michigan watching from the sidelines.
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