itstargetnews
Ohio State holds off Notre Dame’s comeback to celebrate their first national championship in 11 years.
In the end, the Buckeyes earned a thrilling victory over the Fighting Irish 34-23 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Trailing 31-7, Notre Dame scored two touchdowns and two two-point conversions late in the fourth quarter to pull within one point.
The Irish stopped Ohio State on its first two possessions on the next possession and used the timeouts to apply pressure, but quarterback Will Howard threw a pass to wide receiver Yay on third-and-11. Lemmy Smith’s 56-yard run to seal the game and set up a field goal officially started the celebrations, ending a seven-week climb from the abyss of a 20-point underdog Michigan team to the top of college football.
Please use Chrome browser for a more convenient video player
Highlights from the Ohio State Buckeyes’ matchup with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the CFP National Championship Finals
Ohio State will capture its sixth national championship and first since the 2014 season at Horseshoe Stadium in Columbus.
Howard was a success story as a transfer from Kansas State, passing for 231 yards and two scores, but nothing could compare to what he did getting the ball to Smith.
The receiver was stranded by Texas in the semifinals and then was pretty quiet for much of this game before finally shaking off the performance he’s had all year, finishing with five catches for 88 yards.
Ohio State scored touchdowns on its first four possessions before converting a field goal on its fifth possession to take a commanding lead.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard runs with the ball during the College Football Playoff National Championship game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Ohio State’s smart use of the growing portal was underscored when Mississippi State’s Quinshon Judkins (100 yards, 11 carries, three TDs) rushed for 70 yards to make it 28-7. Finished watching this game.
That wasn’t the case, and now Irish coach Marcus Freeman will have to answer some tough questions – one was the failed false pun in the third quarter that turned into a field goal to make it 31-7, and the other was Send in Mickey Jeter. A short field goal attempt while trailing by 16 and facing a fourth goal from the 9. It might have looked like a better call if Jeter’s kick hadn’t clanged off the left upright.
However, the Buckeyes led Notre Dame with 445 yards to 308 yards. Howard completed his first 13 passes and was never really stopped. Ohio State is the better team.
