Ohio State wins national championship by fending off Notre Dame rally, claims first title in 12-team CFP

Notre Dame's lack of speed led to its dismantling

Twelve years ago, Notre Dame lost the BCS Championship Game because it couldn't match the physicality of Alabama in the trenches. On Monday night, Ohio State beat the Irish with speed. This wasn't the same 'ol, same 'ol for Notre Dame in the national championship. The Irish had the scheme and strength to compete — it's why they pushed their way to Atlanta — but the speed of Ohio State was overwhelming. 

It also didn't help that Irish coach Marcus Freeman inexplicably opted to kick a field goal in the fourth quarter to make a two-score game … a two-score game. Mitch Jeter missed the field goal, doinking the ball off the left upright to keep the score 31-15 early in the fourth quarter. A team that has taken advantage of an incredible turnover margin (best in the country), the Irish instead stubbed their toe when a golden opportunity was gifted to them after Buckeyes WR Emeka Egbuka fumbled the ball to set up the game-defining drive. But the Irish were unable to convert. 

No doubt, Notre Dame exerted a lot of energy on its first drive of the game. QB Riley Leonard even puked on the sideline after carrying the ball nine times on the opening possession. You do have to wonder if that led to the Irish's offense looking out of sorts for most of the second and third quarters before Leonard seemingly caught his breath in the fourth quarter.

The Irish just needed a couple of speedy playmakers. With that, this game would have been different. This wasn't so much a blowout as it was a mismatch in key positions, and yet Notre Dame performed so much better than it did 12 years ago. 

Judkins comes alive during the CFP

Quinshon Judkins capped off a fabulous postseason with his most impactful game as a Buckeye on the biggest stage. The Ole Miss transfer running back had three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) to power the Buckeyes, finishing with 100-plus all-purpose yards. His 70-yard run in the third quarter -- he would score three plays later -- was the most explosive play of the game for the Buckeyes.

Judkins had seven postseason touchdowns from scrimmage. That puts him most all-time above the likes of DeVonta Smith and former Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott, both of whom had six in the four-team CFP. Ohio State's big bet to create a two-headed running back monster, alongside TreVeyon Henderson, paid off in the best possible way. Judkins didn't put up the huge numbers that he did in two seasons with the Rebels, but he was exactly the guy Ohio State needed to get over the hump and win a national championship.

Ohio State fends off Notre Dame rally to win CFP National Championship

Final: (8) Ohio State 34, (7) Notre Dame 23

 Coach Ryan Day shushed the critics, running back Quinshon Judkins scored three touchdowns, and the No. 8 seed Ohio State Buckeyes held off a furious second-half rally to beat No. 7 seed Notre Dame, 34-23, to win the College Football Playoff National Championship. In its run through the first-ever 12-team CFP, the Buckeyes became just the fifth team in the AP poll era to win a national title despite not winning their conference. 

It is Ohio State's first national championship since 2014 and the first for Day, who faced a mountain of criticism after the Buckeyes' lost their fourth consecutive game to Michigan back in November.

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard was terrific, finishing with two touchdown passes and completing 14 of his first 15 passes. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly called a masterful game, never forcing anything and yet still getting basically anything and everything the Buckeyes wanted against Notre Dame's defense that entered Monday's title game only giving up 14.3 points per game (second-best nationally).

Notre Dame got off to an early 7-0 lead on an impressive yet grueling 18-play touchdown drive to open the game in which quarterback Riley Leonard ran the ball nine times. Leonard was so exhausted after the drive he threw up on the sideline. But the Buckeyes took control from there and scored four touchdowns on their first four offensive drives, the first time that has been done in national championship history. 

Notre Dame showed life late with a pair of second-half scores and a 2-point conversion that pulled the game to within a possession, but it wasn't enough to overcome a massive deficit. The Irish, with all of their blue-blood history, are still looking for their first national championship since 1988. 

Ohio State puts it away

4Q: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 23

The Irish made it interesting, but an Ohio State field goal with under a minute remaining should do it. A huge pass from Will Howard to Jeremiah Smith flipped the field and put the Buckeyes in scoring position, effectively ending the game. Notre Dame will need a miracle to win this one, and the odds are stacked against them. 

Ohio State lucky to escape there

4Q: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 15

Ohio State looked like it had the game all but clinched and yet started to come unglued. First, it was an Emeka Egbuka fumble on what looked like a likely scoring drive. Then, it was two defensive holding penalties that helped the Fighting Irish move the ball down the field. 

But Ohio State's defense stood tall and forced Notre Dame into a fourth-and-goal from the 9-yard line. Notre Dame made a head-scratching decision to opt for a field goal despite only 9:34 left in the game. That conservative decision blew up when Mitch Jeter doinked one off the upright and missed the 27-yard field goal. 

Notre Dame makes weird decision to kick FG (and misses)

Notre Dame finally had some momentum but killed all hope with Mitch Jeter doinking a field goal off the left upright on fourth down. The Irish probably should have kept the offense on the field for fourth-and-goal at the 9-yard line with a two-touchdown deficit. The two-touchdown deficit would have remained, even with a made field goal, so why not try to make it a one-score game with a touchdown and 2-point conversion? 

Marcus Freeman's decision will be questioned throughout the offseason.

The Irish waste a turnover and a possession — and the season might be over as a result.

Notre Dame gets its long-awaited turnover

Notre Dame has been the model team of creating opportunities this season, and the Irish finally broke through in this game early in the fourth quarter when Drayk Bowen knocked the ball out of receiver Emeka Egbuka's cradle on a 24-yard catch. Can Notre Dame do something with the ball, down 31-15 with 14:46 remaining?

Ohio State still in control despite Notre Dame's answer

End 3Q: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 15

Ohio State is still in control of this game and seems content on grinding out the game on the ground in the fourth quarter. Will Howard was bailed out of a second-and-8 with a roughing the passer penalty on safety Malik Hartford that gave Ohio State a first down at the 47-yard line heading into the fourth quarter.

The Buckeyes churned up 105 yards and averaged seven yards per play in the third quarter. Quinshon Judkins was the star of the quarter, of course, with his 70-yard rush accounting for the bulk of the 98 rushing yards in those 15 minutes. 

Notre Dame actually did its damage through the air, throwing for 62 yards and picking up only six yards on the ground (both by Riley Leonard).

The Buckeyes are 15 minutes away from a national championship unless Notre Dame pulls off a near-miracle in a game that has been framed as an athletic mismatch.

Irish have a pulse 

Late 3Q: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 15 

Notre Dame has some life. Jaden Greenhouse broke a tackle on a short pass, turning the short throw up field into a 34-yard touchdown  — and Leonard shoveled the ball to Jeremiyah Love for a 2-point conversion to cut the lead to 31-15. The plays capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive that spanned 4:49 late in the third quarter. It was easily the most productive drive since the Irish's opening possession of the game. 

Leonard is 10 of 16 passing for 108 yards and a touchdown. He's also rushed 14 times for 41 yards and one touchdown. How did the drive start? Leonard running for a five-yard gain.

The drive was kept alive on a pass interference call on Davison Igbinosun on third-and-19. Rewarded a first down, the Irish took advantage at Ohio State's 48-yard line.

Notre Dame has slightly improved to 4.1 yards per play compared to Ohio State's 7.5. Ohio State is out-gaining Notre Dame by nearly a 2-to-1 ration (321-161)

Judkins for MVP?

Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins is going to have a serious case for game MVP with a hat trick of TDs (two rushing, one receiving). Those three give him seven scores from scrimmage during the CFP, putting him most all time ahead of Alabama's DeVonta Smith (six, 2020) and Ohio State's Ezekiel Elliott (six, 2014). 

By the way, Ohio State has scored on all five of its possessions against the No. 2 defense in college football. 

Ohio State extends lead

3Q: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 7

Ohio State could not make it five touchdowns on its first five offensive drives, but it still extended its lead anyway. Ohio State capitalized on a short field after a failed Notre Dame trick play, eventually setting up a successful Jayden Fielding 46-yard field goal. 

Notre Dame's identity has been squashed 

Everything that worked for Notre Dame throughout this season — all of the hallmarks — have blown up in the Irish's face tonight. The latest was a fake punt, with a pass falling incomplete at their own 33-yard line just moments after Ohio State grabbed a commanding 28-7 lead. 

Notre Dame has won games this year by being aggressive on special teams. The Irish have also won because they usually win the turnover battle, leading the nation in opportunity plays, but that hasn't happened tonight, either. Notre Dame is also simply not capable of matching the speed and athleticism of Ohio State, which has beaten the Irish more so on the edges than they have in the trenches (though the middle of the Irish's defensive line has proven weaker than in previous CFP games).

This could be a long second half for Notre Dame, which isn't just on the ropes, they're out of the ring.

Yikes, Notre Dame

Facing a fourth-and-two on its own 33 and down 28-7, obviously the Irish needed to go for it. They did, via the route of fake punt ... a pass play which was dropped. This is bad. 

Ohio State will (likely) be your national champion 

3Q: Ohio State 28, Notre Dame 7

Ohio State will win the first version of the 12-team playoff. There are still nearly two full quarters to go but this one is effectively over. Notre Dame has no chance to score more than 28 points at this point. Quinshon Judkins scored his third touchdown of the game -- either he or Will Howard will be the game MVP -- set up by his own 70-yard run. 

Ohio State has scored a touchdown on its first four offensive drives -- all 75 yards or more. A tremendous feat against a Notre Dame defense that came into the game giving up less than 15 points per game. 

Howard passes Burrow for most yards passing in the postseason

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard became the first quarterback to throw for 1,000 yards in the College Football Playoff after a strong first half against Notre Dame. By hitting the mark, Howard set the record for most passing yards in a CFP run. 

Howard connected on his first 13 passes against Notre Dame, a championship game record, as the Buckeyes took a 21-7 lead into halftime. He passed the 1,000-yard mark with a 6-yard completion to wide receiver Emeka Egbuka in the second quarter to help set up a 9-yard touchdown run from running back Quinshon Judkins. Howard threw a pair of touchdown passes in the half. 

Halftime: Ohio State 21, Notre Dame 7

Ohio State survived Notre Dame's brilliantly grueling 18-play touchdown drive to start the game and delivered a ferocious counterpunch in the second quarter that may have knocked the Fighting Irish out. 

The Buckeyes tallied 21 points, got their first holding call penalty called against an opposing offense since late September ,and the defense denied the Riley Leonard-heavy run game from getting going in the second quarter. Ohio State's 21 points are the most Notre Dame has allowed in a first half all season. 

Ohio State's offensive line overpowered Notre Dame's defensive front in the first half, giving QB Will Howard plenty of time to dissect the Fighting Irish. Howard more than delivered, going a near-perfect 14 for 15 for 144 yards and two touchdowns. If Notre Dame can't speed Howard up in the second half and try to force him into a mistake, it has no shot at getting back in this game.

Not only is Ohio State up 21-7 but it will get the ball to start the second half. It already feels almost impossible for Notre Dame to score more than 21 points at this rate, but another Ohio State score would all but end this national championship. 

That may be game

Late 2Q: Ohio State 21, Notre Dame 7

Notre Dame badly, desperately needed a stop on that drive and just couldn't get it done. Instead, Ohio State marches down the field, scores on a 1-yard touchdown pass to Quinshon Judkins and takes a two-score lead into halftime. Oh, by the way, Ohio State will get the ball to start the second half, too. 

With the way this game is going, it's awfully hard to see Notre Dame finding a way to score more than 21 points. Dangerous spot for a team that's been on a terrific postseason fun. 

Smith moves up Ohio State, freshman TD list

Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith moved to second on the program's single-season receiving touchdown list after the star freshman hauled in a score in the College Football Playoff National Championship against Notre Dame. The touchdown was the 15th of the season for Smith as he continues to dazzle during his first season of college football.  

Smith's 15th touchdown moved him past former Ohio State star Marvin Harrison Jr., who posted 14 touchdowns in consecutive seasons. He now only trails Terry Glenn, who won the Biletnikoff Award for the Buckeyes in 1995. Smith's wife 15 receiving touchdowns is the most by a true freshman since at least 1960. 

Turning point drive

This is a make-or-break drive. Notre Dame has done nothing offensively two consecutive drives and its defense has had no answers. If Ohio State goes up 21-7 before halftime -- remember, it gets the ball to start the second half -- then we could be looking at a blowout. 

I wonder if Chip Kelly goes for a Jeremiah Smith haymaker. It's what I would do. 

Irish clearly miss Rylie Mills at defensive tackle

Notre Dame will need some turnovers tonight to keep up with Ohio State, it appears. The Buckeyes have scored touchdowns on each of their first two possessions with creative plays that have also proven methodical. Explosives have been limited by Notre Dame's defense, but Ohio State is showing it has adjusted to the physicality of the game. This is the first time in the CFP I have felt that the Irish miss Rylie Mills at defensive tackle. 

On Quinshon Judkins' touchdown run to the outside, he stiff-armed linebacker Jaiden Ausberry out wide to the left and then broke Leonard Moore's tackle attempt near the goal line. That's not not he middle of the defense, obviously, but the lack of push up the gut has hurt the Irish on every play tonight.

Buckeyes offense is rolling now

2Q: Ohio State 14, Notre Dame 7

Ohio State is having its way with Notre Dame's defensive front, preventing the Fighting Irish from speeding up/pressuring QB Will Howard. Ohio State's offense is in a rhythm right now, capped by a 9-yard touchdown run from Quinshon Judkins. Chip Kelly is getting the best of Notre Dame DC Al Golden in the first half.

Howard is a perfect 9 for 9 for 82 yards and a touchdown so far. His favorite target has been Emeka Egbuka, who set an Ohio State record for most career receptions (203) after an early four catches for 33 yards. 

Ohio State finally gets a holding call

For the first time since Sept. 21 against Marshall, Ohio State's defense was the beneficiary of a holding penalty against the opposing offense. It was a remarkably weird trend for the Buckeyes defense. When the officials announced the holding penalty against Notre Dame, Ohio State fans loudly cheered -- perhaps even louder than for Jeremiah Smith's touchdown a few minutes earlier. 

The holding penalty helped Ohio State avoid another grueling Notre Dame offensive drive and set up the Buckeyes with the ball on its 24-yard line. 

Notre Dame's offensive line struggles on second possession

Notre Dame's offensive line showed its first signs of mortality on the second drive. Ohio State managed to get pressure, and with the Irish backed against their own end zone, they were also called for offensive holding. 

Notre Dame knew something funky was happening

Ohio State utilized a fake orbit motion in the backfield to cross up Notre Dame's defense, which seemed to know something funky was going on with the upcoming play call. The result was an 8-yard touchdown pass from Will Howard to Jeremiah Smith. Notre Dame defensive back Christian Gray appeared to have sniffed something out and was pointing to Smith as the motion began in the backfield on the fake orbit motion. Tremendous scheme by Ohio State OC Chip Kelly. Irish couldn't figure it out in real time.

Chip Kelly still an offensive maestro

2Q: Ohio State 7, Notre Dame 7

Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly had Notre Dame's defense all out of sorts on a play call that had Jeremiah Smith run back toward Will Howard before reversing and headed to the endzone uncovered for an easy 8-yard touchdown. The star freshman had a great first offensive series including a great block out in space to help on a 19-yard TreVeyon Henderson run.

Ohio State didn't take any big shots downfield against Notre Dame's man coverage but did a good job mixing short passes and the run game. Will Howard reminded everyone he can run the ball pretty effectively, too, just like his counterpart Riley Leonard. 

An amazing veteran moment by Egbuka on that play

Emeka Egbuka tells Jeremiah Smith how to line up on that play -- telling him to switch up his stance to put his right foot forward so Smith could more easily open up and come back to the ball and then loop out on that TD catch for Smith. That is sensational to watch unfold. 

Ohio State set to answer Notre Dame's dominant start

End 1Q: Notre Dame 7, Ohio State 0

Here comes Ohio State. The first quarter blazed by us thanks to Notre Dame's opening drive, the longest in CFP history (18 plays), but Ohio State is pushing to tie the game as we head into the second quarter.

Will Howard has completed all four pass attempts for 38 yards on this drive. He'll have first-and-10 at the 13-yard line when the second quarter begins. Howard picked up that last first down with a 5-yard run. 

TreVeyon Henderson broke off a 19-yard run earlier on the drive for the most explosive play of the game by either team so far. 

Notre Dame is trying to shade the tackle box, much like Texas did against Ohio State, but the Buckeyes are having more success getting movement upfield with the offensive line. That's a good sign for the Buckeyes' offense after watching the Irish's offensive line getting similar movement against them.

Riley Leonard pukes after TD drive

The longest drive in College Football Playoff history was a success for Notre Dame, but it clearly took it out of quarterback Riley Leonard, who ran the ball nine times. ESPN's Molly McGrath said on the broadcast that Leonard threw up on the sideline and stumbled into the bench area after his short touchdown run. Two commercial breaks with a kickoff sandwiched in between, then Ohio State's in-progress opening drive, will give Leonard time to recover -- because the Irish are going to need him to run again and again tonight. 

Riley Leonard already closing in on history

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard is only one touchdown away from tying the school record for rushing touchdowns (18) in. a season. Leonard looked gassed near the middle of the marathon, 18-play drive that burned nearly 10 minutes off the clock to start the game.

Leonard has never run the ball more than 18 times in a game. He ran it nine times on the first drive.

The Riley Leonard Drive

Late 1Q: Notre Dame 7, Ohio State 0 

What a tone setter by Notre Dame. The Irish capped an incredible 18-play, 75-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run. That's the longest drive in CFP or BCS history. Quarterback Riley Leonard ran the ball nine times(!) times on the drive, with no scamper covering more than eight yards. He picked up a couple of first downs, converted a fourth down inside the 5 and then scored. 

Against arguably the best defensive line in the country, Notre Dame marched down the field using the most basic of concepts on offense. Impressive, to say the least.

Leonard was 3 of 5 passing for 31 yards, and missed on both incompletions. Still, that was The Riley Leonard Drive. 

The Irish burned an insane 9 minutes, 45 seconds off the clock.