The stakes couldn't have been higher for either the Ohio State Buckeyes or the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who strived hard to appear for the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
The game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta started on a competitive note before the Buckeyes' offense came all guns blazing. While Notre Dame made the first move on the score tally, the Buckeyes offense made three successful scoring drives in the second quarter to make the game 21-7 going into halftime.
The Fighting Irish didn't help their fate with missed opportunities as their rally fell short to a 34-23 score.
Ohio State secured a solid 34-23 victory over Notre Dame to win NCAA title: Game Summary
Ohio State's offense, led by Quinshon Judkins with two rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown, combined with Will Howard's safe passing, proved to be the difference. Notre Dame fought back in the second half, but their efforts fell short against Ohio State's consistent scoring and time management.
1st Quarter
5:15: Notre Dame opened the scoring with Riley Leonard’s 1-yard touchdown run, concluding an 18-play, 75-yard drive (7-0).
2nd Quarter
14:10: Ohio State equalized as Howard found Jeremiah Smith for an 8-yard touchdown, completing an 11-play, 75-yard drive (7-7).
6:15: Judkins powered in for a 9-yard touchdown run, ending a 10-play, 76-yard drive (14-7).
0:27: Howard connected with Judkins for a 6-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 1-yard touchdown run to his tally, finishing a 5-play, 75-yard drive early in the quarter (28-7).
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 9-play, 61-yard drive (34-23).