Ohio State Defeats Notre Dame 34-23, Secures First National Title Since 2015

ATLANTA — For the first time in a decade, the Ohio State Buckeyes are national champions.

Ohio State’s running back, Quinshon Judkins, had a successful game scoring three times in their victory over Notre Dame with a final score of 34-23. The team had a strong performance throughout the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Notre Dame and Ohio State coaches and players are set to speak after the game. You can watch in the player below.

The Buckeyes showed dominance in the playoffs, securing wins against Tennessee and the undefeated Oregon in the initial rounds. The semifinal match against Texas was more challenging, but a crucial fumble return for a touchdown by Jack Sawyer helped the team secure their spot in the championship game.

Quarterback Will Howard was efficient in the game and didn’t need any heroics to help lead the Buckeyes to their ninth national championship victory.

Notre Dame took an early lead by scoring on their first drive, marking the only time Ohio State was behind in the playoff games. Although Notre Dame managed to score in the third quarter with a 34-yard pass from Leonard Riley to wide receiver Jaden Greathouse, Ohio State maintained their lead and emerged victorious in the end.

Ohio State freshman WR Jeremiah Smith caught his fifth TD pass of the CFP. He also snagged a 57-yard catch late in the game to help put Notre Dame’s late rally to rest. He scored four times against Tennessee and Oregon to go along with 290 yards. Texas held him to just one catch, but it allowed other wide receivers to open up and have solid games.

The bulk of Judkins’ rushing yards game on one play — a 70-yard dash just shy of the end zone. 

He punched it in soon after for his third score of the game.

Details on Ohio State’s celebration plans in Columbus will be released later.

Follow along with live updates on game day:

Ohio State 34 – Notre Dame 23 | 4th quarter | :26

That’ll pretty much do it. A huge 57-yard catch by Smith all but puts the nail in the coffin. Ohio State is less than 30 seconds away from becoming national champions!

Ohio State 31 – Notre Dame 23 | 4th quarter | 4:15

One score game. Leonard hits Greathouse again for a TD, this time for 30 yards. Two point conversion is good.

(6 plays, 80 yards, 2:10)

Ohio State 31 – Notre Dame 15 | 4th quarter | 9:26

Doink. Notre Dame moves the ball down the field and instead of going for a touchdown, the Irish opt for a field goal and it’s no good.

Ohio State 31 – Notre Dame 15 | 4th quarter | 14:46

More signs of life for Notre Dame. Emeka Egbuka takes a long catch for 24 yards, but Drayk Bowen punches it out. Irish ball.

Ohio State 31 – Notre Dame 15 | 3rd quarter | 3:03

Notre Dame isn’t going down without a fight.

Riley Leonard finds Jaden Greathouse for a 34-yard touchdown. Leonard’s shovel pass to Jeremiyah Love for the two-point conversion is good.

(10 plays, 75 yards, 4:49)

Ohio State 31 – Notre Dame 7 | 3rd quarter | 7:51

Ohio State gets a holding call and they can’t do much on the Notre Dame turnover. Jayden Fielding tacks on the field goal.

Ohio State 28 – Notre Dame 7 | 3rd quarter | 11:18

Notre Dame goes for it on fourth down again and they are denied! Ohio State gets the ball in Irish territory.

Ohio State 28 – Notre Dame 7 | 3rd quarter | 12:46

Judkins for the third time tonight! Judkins takes a handoff 70 yards to get into the red zone. After getting some rest, Judkins scores it himself.

(5 plays, 75 yards, 2:14)

Ohio State 21 – Notre Dame 7 | 2nd quarter | :27

Judkins again! Buckeyes move down the field again with ease and make it a two touchdown game.

Ohio State 14 – Notre Dame 7 | 2nd quarter | 4:53

Buckeye defense forces another three and out! Notre Dame fumbles the snap and the Buckeyes pounce. Big series here as the Buckeyes get the ball to start the second half.

Ohio State 14 – Notre Dame 7 | 2nd quarter | 6:15

BUCKEYES TAKE THE LEAD. Quinshon Judkins breaks a couple tackles and and scores from 9 yards out. Emeka Egbuka had a couple of catches, breaking the Ohio State record for most receptions as a Buckeye.

Will Howard is 9-for-9 with 82 yards. He also has three rushes for 19 yards.

(10 plays, 76 yards, 6:06)

Ohio State 7 – Notre Dame 7 | 2nd quarter | 12:21

Not much running for Leonard this time. An incomplete pass and a holding call put Notre Dame in 2nd and 25. The Irish elect to run it up the middle for basically no gain and third down goes no where. Ohio State defense stands tall on Notre Dame’s second drive of the game.

Ohio State 7 – Notre Dame 7 | 2nd quarter | 14:03

BUCKEYES RESPOND. Will Howard and TreVeyon Henderson lead Ohio State down the field and a trick play to Jeremiah Smith ties up the game. 

Howard was 5-for-5 on the drive and Henderson had three carries for 24 yards. 

(11 plays, 75 yards, 6:05)

Ohio State 0 – Notre Dame 7 | 1st quarter | 5:15

Big opening drive from Notre Dame. QB Riley Leonard rushes the ball nine times on the drive, two of which came on fourth down conversions. He also takes it in from one yard out. Fighting Irish strike first.

Fire the first time this year, Ohio State is behind in a College Football Playoff game.

(18 plays, 75 yards, 9:45)

Coin toss: Ohio State wins the coin toss and they defer. Notre Dame gets the ball to start the national championship.

A look inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium

10TV’s Dom Tiberi caught up with former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel the morning of the title game. Watch as Tress shares his thoughts on the matchup and what the Buckeyes need to do to secure a win over Notre Dame.

Ohio State vs. Notre Dame is scheduled to kick off at 7:45 p.m.

The Ohio State vs. Notre Dame game can be watched on ESPN. Chris Fowler will be doing the play-by-play with Kirk Herbstreit serving as an analyst. Holly Rowe and Molly McGrath will be reporting on the sidelines.

Following the game, you can watch Ryan Day, assistant coaches and Ohio State players’ postgame interviews on 10TV+ or via the 10TV News mobile app.

BetMGM College Football Odds: Ohio State is favored by 8 1/2 points over Notre Dame.

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard vs. Notre Dame defense. Howard has been in a groove in the playoff, and he has one of the best receiving tandems in the nation in Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka. Smith was all but shut down by Texas in the semifinal, and it’s a certainty Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden was taking notes. Golden runs an NFL-style defense with lots of moving parts, and he’s adept at making changes on the fly. The Fighting Irish are at their best when they’re in man coverage and bringing the blitz.

Ohio State: Running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins will be going against a defense that has allowed just 3.4 yards per carry over three CFP games. The combination of Henderson’s speed and Judkins’ physicalness can cause problems, and both are more than capable as receivers.

Notre Dame: Riley Leonard is the type of quarterback that has bothered the Buckeyes. He’s a dual threat — probably a better runner than passer, especially on downfield throws. His toughness and competitiveness help him make winning plays more often than not.