Ohio State Secures National Title with Gritty Win Over Notre Dame

Maybe, just maybe, Ohio State football fans have found a new appreciation for coach Ryan Day.

Fifty-one days after suffering his most crushing defeat, Day led the No. 8-seeded Buckeyes to their first national championship in a decade with a hard-fought 34-23 victory over No. 7-seeded Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff National Championship presented by AT&T on Monday night.

“The story gets to be told now,” Day said. “It’s an incredible story about a group of guys who overcame some tough challenges. There was a time when many counted us out, but we kept swinging and fighting.”

Ohio State built a commanding 31-7 lead midway through the third quarter, only for the Fighting Irish to mount a furious comeback. Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard connected with Jaden Greathouse for a 34-yard touchdown, followed by a successful 2-point conversion, trimming the deficit to 31-15. Later, Leonard found Greathouse again for a 30-yard strike, with another 2-point attempt bringing the score to 31-23 with just over four minutes left.

The Buckeyes sealed the victory when quarterback Will Howard launched a 56-yard bomb to freshman wideout Jeremiah Smith, setting up a 33-yard field goal from Jayden Fielding with just 26 seconds remaining.

A Season of Redemption

Ohio State’s triumph served as redemption for Day and his team after their stunning 13-10 loss to archrival Michigan on Nov. 30. The defeat knocked the Buckeyes out of the Big Ten title game, and fans expressed their frustrations loud and clear.

“You sign up for this job knowing the storms will come,” Day said. “The key is to be strong enough to weather them and come out stronger on the other side.”

Despite the loss, Ohio State’s postseason fate remained alive thanks to the expanded 12-team CFP. The Buckeyes defeated No. 9 Tennessee, top-seeded Oregon, and No. 5 Texas en route to the championship showdown against Notre Dame.

“Our program is not defined by one team or one loss,” Ohio State athletic director Ross Bjork said. “We set our own standards, and tonight we proved that.”

Team Unity and Leadership

The road to the title wasn’t easy, but team leaders stepped up in a major way. Defensive tackle Tyleik Williams noted how the team came together after the Michigan loss.

“We had to face our issues head-on,” Williams said. “The leadership on this team is unlike anything I’ve seen before.”

Ohio State’s returning players, paired with key transfers, created a formidable roster. Howard, a transfer from Kansas State, completed 17 of 21 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns while also adding 57 rushing yards. Ole Miss transfer Quinshon Judkins rushed for 100 yards and three scores, and Smith contributed 88 yards and a touchdown on five receptions.

On the defensive side, the Buckeyes answered the call, holding Notre Dame’s potent offense in check despite a late push.

Looking Ahead

Notre Dame, hoping to claim its first national title since 1988, saw its 13-game winning streak snapped. Irish coach Marcus Freeman remained optimistic about the program’s future.

“We didn’t get it done tonight, and it hurts,” Freeman said. “But I told our guys they’ve left this program in a better place. The future is bright.”

Meanwhile, Ohio State fans can finally celebrate—at least for now. With a loaded roster and a national championship under their belt, expectations remain high under Day’s leadership.

“We’ve got a great team coming back,” Day said with a smile. “But I know one thing—Michigan is already on the clock.”