NCAA Football: CFP National Championship-Ohio State at Notre Dame - Source: Imagn
The stakes couldn't have been higher for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who locked horns in the national championship game on Monday.
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The game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta started on a competitive note before the Buckeyes' offense took charge. While Notre Dame made the first mark on the scoreboard, the Buckeyes engineered three successful touchdown drives in the second quarter to take a 21-7 lead into halftime.
The Fighting Irish didn't help their cause with missed opportunities in the second half and fell to a 34-23 defeat in the end.
Ohio State secures solid 34-23 victory over Notre Dame to win NCAA title: Game Summary
Ohio State's offense, led by Quinshon Judkins' two rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown, combined with Will Howard's ability to keep hold of the ball and drive the team forward, proved to be the difference.
1st Quarter
5:15: Notre Dame opened the scoring with Riley Leonard’s one-yard touchdown run, concluding an 18-play, 75-yard drive (7-0).
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2nd Quarter
14:10: Ohio State equalized as Howard found Jeremiah Smith for an eight-yard touchdown, completing an 11-play, 75-yard drive (7-7).
6:15: Judkins powered in for a nine-yard touchdown run, ending a 10-play, 76-yard drive (14-7).
0:27: Howard connected with Judkins for a six-yard touchdown pass after a 12-play, 80-yard drive, giving Ohio State a comfortable lead before halftime (21-7).
3rd Quarter
12:46: Judkins added a one-yard touchdown run to his tally, finishing a five-play, 75-yard drive early in the quarter (28-7).
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7:52: Jayden Fielding converted a 46-yard field goal, capping a short drive (31-7).
3:03: Notre Dame responded with a 34-yard touchdown pass from Leonard to Jaden Greathouse, followed by a successful two-point conversion (31-15).
4th Quarter
4:15: Leonard connected with Greathouse again for a 30-yard touchdown, and a two-point conversion narrowed the gap (31-23).
0:26: Ohio State sealed the win with a 33-yard field goal by Fielding after a nine-play, 61-yard drive (34-23).
Final Score: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 23
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Krutik Jain
Krutik Jain is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2022. It was in 2018 when the baseball bug bit Krutik, and already a cricket fan, he credits baseball's rules and Clayton Kershaw's pitching to have hooked him to the game.
A Kershaw and Mookie Betts fan, Krutik rates his favorite team LA Dodgers triumphing over Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 World Series as his best baseball moment so far. His answer to the perennial "one player from the past you could meet" question is Jackie Robinson. Despite never having seen him play, Robinson's impact, legacy and trail-blazing journey have left an indelible impact on Krutik.
A rigorous fact-checker, Krutik likes reporting on the technical aspects of the game as well as off-field elements. When not watching baseball, Krutik is busy playing cricket, staying up to date with the happenings around the world and hiking.