ATLANTA — In the national championship game, Riley Leonard showcased an impressive performance as the Notre Dame quarterback, kicking off the match with a remarkable drive that suggested he could secure the title single-handedly. However, as the game unfolded, it became clear he required more support from his teammates. Leonard did help rally the Fighting Irish with two touchdown passes to Jaden Greathouse in the second half, but this effort fell short as they attempted a comeback too late in the game, ultimately losing to Ohio State with a score of 34-23. Greathouse’s first touchdown reception came just before the end of the third quarter.
Leonard was responsible for three touchdowns, throwing for 255 yards and rushing for 40 yards, adding a touchdown on 17 carries. Notably, he was instrumental at the start of the game, leading an exhaustive 18-play, 75-yard opening drive that culminated in a touchdown. Leonard not only carried the ball nine times for 34 yards during this drive but also executed a 1-yard touchdown run. This lengthy effort consumed an impressive 9 minutes and 45 seconds of the game clock.
Such a heavy workload in one drive was impressive, given that it accounted for nearly half of his maximum carries in a full game this season. In a previous Playoff semifinal, he had logged 18 carries totaling 34 yards and a touchdown in a win over Penn State. Despite the demanding play, Leonard expressed no reservations about the game plan orchestrated by head coach Marcus Freeman. “If coach wants to call my number and have me run the ball every single time, I’ve got no problem with it,” he stated.
However, Freeman recognized the unsustainable nature of this strategy and emphasized the need to preserve Leonard’s talents for the duration of the game. “We couldn’t run Riley every play,” Freeman acknowledged. “It’s not only unfair to him, but it’s not going to keep our offensive success alive.” Near the end of the opening drive, Leonard pointed to the scripture “Matthew 23:12” inscribed on his wristband, which highlights the theme of humility versus pride. Perhaps he was signaling a desire for Notre Dame to rise to glory; instead, the Fighting Irish defense struggled to contain Ohio State’s quarterback Will Howard and running back Quinshon Judkins.
By halftime, Notre Dame found itself down 21-7, with Leonard’s supporting cast managing a mere eight yards on six carries. Furthermore, Leonard had only achieved 46 passing yards in the first half, showcasing the lack of offensive efficiency beyond his notable efforts. Following a stunning 70-yard run by Judkins that set up his own 1-yard touchdown, the Fighting Irish faced a daunting 28-7 deficit, and the team needed more than just Leonard’s solitary efforts to reverse their fortunes.
The second half started poorly for Notre Dame, as an incomplete pass during a fake punt handed the Buckeyes advantageous field position at the Notre Dame 33-yard line. Struggling to gain momentum, the Fighting Irish were trailing 31-7 before finally putting points on the board during the third quarter with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Leonard to Greathouse. He later added another 30-yard touchdown reception, and a successful 2-point conversion put Notre Dame within just eight points. However, this potential revival was short-lived, as Howard connected with Jeremiah Smith for a crucial 57-yard gain, extinguishing the Fighting Irish’s hopes of a comeback.
Reflecting on the missed opportunities, Leonard took responsibility for the team’s inability to close the gap. “Everything was just clicking,” he observed regarding the successful drives, “but I may have relaxed a little bit on the next couple of drives, and I can’t let that happen.” Notre Dame’s season ended with a record of 14-2, marking the conclusion of their impressive 13-game winning streak. The Fighting Irish still aspire to claim their first national championship title since 1988. Notably, Coach Freeman’s aspirations were dashed, as he sought to be the first African American head coach to guide his team to a national title.
In the absence of Anthonie Knapp due to a high ankle sprain, Charles Jagusah stepped in as Notre Dame’s left tackle, making just his second career start. Jagusah’s return to the field was significant, as he had missed the regular season with a torn right pectoralis muscle but came back to compete in the postseason.
