When Will Howard’s perfectly lofted teardrop pass landed gently into the hands of Jeremiah Smith on a critical third-and-11 late in the fourth quarter Monday night, it was more than just a game-sealing 56-yard play. It was the moment Ohio State fans had waited a decade for — their Buckeyes were champions again. With a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame, Ohio State claimed its sixth national title, capping off the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff in fitting fashion.
This victory, much like Ohio State’s season, was a tale of resilience. Just seven weeks ago, the Buckeyes were at their lowest point following a crushing 13-10 loss to Michigan. Questions swirled about whether head coach Ryan Day would even survive the offseason, let alone guide his team to a championship. Yet on a January night deep in SEC country, the Buckeyes silenced all doubts, proving they were worthy champions.
Ohio State seemed poised to cruise to an easy victory after dominating the first three quarters. Quinshon Judkins, a transfer from Ole Miss who became the engine of the Buckeyes’ offense, set the tone with an electrifying 70-yard run in the first half, one of his three touchdowns on just 11 carries. Judkins’ performance, combined with Howard’s precision passing, helped Ohio State score touchdowns on their first four possessions, building a commanding 31-7 lead.
But Notre Dame wasn’t ready to fade away. Behind quarterback Sam Hartman, the Irish mounted a furious fourth-quarter rally. Two quick touchdowns and successful two-point conversions cut the Buckeyes’ lead to 31-23, and a stadium that had been split into seas of red and green buzzed with anticipation. Legendary Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz, spotted in his luxury box, gave a hopeful thumbs-up.
The Irish had momentum — until they didn’t. Facing a critical third down with less than three minutes left, Howard delivered the throw of his season, a perfectly placed pass that Smith, bottled up for much of the night, hauled in over Notre Dame’s Christian Gray. The 56-yard play snuffed out Notre Dame’s comeback hopes and set up a Buckeyes field goal to seal the victory.
Ohio State’s season was defined by strategic transfer-portal moves that paid dividends in the biggest moments. Howard, a transfer from Kansas State, was brilliant throughout the playoffs, completing his first 13 passes in the championship game and finishing with 231 yards and two touchdowns. While Howard’s play was steady, his third-and-11 connection with Smith was nothing short of spectacular. Smith, a second-team All-American, had been quiet for much of the game, but his ability to rise to the occasion epitomized Ohio State’s season.
Judkins, another portal addition, was the other key to Ohio State’s title run. His explosive running, including a game-changing 70-yard burst, made him indispensable in a postseason where the Buckeyes outscored opponents 36-21 on average.
Ohio State’s path to the title was nothing short of extraordinary. As the No. 8 seed in the first-ever 12-team playoff, the Buckeyes defied all odds, dominating higher-seeded opponents en route to the championship. In a tournament where underdogs thrived, Ohio State’s semifinal win over No. 1 Texas and decisive title victory over No. 7 Notre Dame stood as exclamation points.
While the victory was sweet for Ohio State, it was a bitter pill for Notre Dame and head coach Marcus Freeman. The Irish, who entered the championship riding high after a dramatic semifinal win over Penn State, faltered at critical moments. A failed fake punt in the third quarter and a missed field goal off the left upright while trailing by 16 loomed large. Freeman, aiming to become the first Black head coach to win a national title, will face tough questions about his decision-making in the aftermath.
For Ryan Day, this championship silences his critics and cements his place among Ohio State’s legendary coaches. After a turbulent November loss to Michigan — the fourth in a row in the bitter rivalry — many questioned whether Day could deliver a title. Instead, he joins the likes of Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel, Woody Hayes, and Paul Brown as a national champion.
This triumph also gives the Big Ten back-to-back national titles for the first time since 1942. Last year’s champion, Michigan, watched from home, but their role in Ohio State’s redemption cannot be overstated. The Wolverines’ flag-planting antics and subsequent brawl after their win in November fueled the Buckeyes’ resolve.
For Ohio State fans, the wait for a national title is finally over. The Buckeyes’ marching band can once again dot the “I” with pride, this time with the national championship trophy in tow. Howard and Judkins, key figures in Ohio State’s journey, symbolize the evolving landscape of college football, where the transfer portal offers second chances and fresh starts.
As confetti rained down in Atlanta and the Buckeyes celebrated their sixth national title, one thing became clear: This team, counted out just weeks ago, proved that resilience and belief can overcome even the longest odds. Ohio State is back on top, and the college football world will be chasing them into the new era of the expanded playoff.