In a commanding performance on January 20, 2025, the Ohio State Buckeyes secured their ninth national title by defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23 in the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Notre Dame initiated the scoring with an 18-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, taking an early lead. However, Ohio State responded decisively, with quarterback Will Howard connecting on multiple key passes and running back Quinshon Judkins contributing significant yardage on the ground. The Buckeyes amassed 31 unanswered points, establishing a dominant presence throughout the game.
Key Performances
- Will Howard (Ohio State): The quarterback demonstrated exceptional poise, delivering precise throws that kept Notre Dame’s defense on its heels.
- Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State): Judkins’ powerful runs were instrumental in Ohio State’s offensive success, consistently gaining critical yardage and contributing to the team’s scoring drives.
- Jaden Greathouse (Notre Dame): Despite the team’s struggles, Greathouse provided a spark with a late-game touchdown, showcasing his talent and determination.
Turning Points
A pivotal moment occurred when Notre Dame missed a crucial field goal attempt, which would have narrowed the gap and potentially shifted momentum. This miss allowed Ohio State to maintain a comfortable lead and continue dictating the pace of the game. It was their performance in the second half that allowed them to maintain their victory, and come out on top, according to NCAA.
Coaching Impact
Ohio State’s head coach, Ryan Day, who had faced criticism earlier in the season, orchestrated a remarkable turnaround. Under his leadership, the Buckeyes navigated a challenging playoff bracket, defeating top-ranked teams and ultimately securing the national championship.
“When you sign up for this job, that’s what you sign up for. You’ve got to be strong enough to withstand the storms, to come out the back end,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “From the start of this thing, we‘ve been knocking on the door. I think about the ’19 team, the ’20 team, the ’21 team, the ’22 team — you keep going through these seasons and we weren’t that far off. But you’ve got to find a way to break through and make it to where we are right now,” he said, according to the New York Post.
Historical Significance
This victory marks Ohio State’s first national title in a decade and their ninth overall, reinforcing their status as a powerhouse in college football. The win also highlights the team’s resilience and ability to overcome early-season adversity to achieve the sport’s highest honor.
In addition, beyond the game itself, the night carried broader implications. Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman aimed to become the first Black coach to capture a national title at the highest level of college football. While Freeman fell short of this milestone, his presence on the sideline during Martin Luther King Jr. Day was a poignant reminder of the barriers still to be broken, as AP News reported.
“The timing of Marcus Freeman and Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a powerful symbol that should be viewed with cautious optimism,” said Joseph Cooper, the director of the Institute for Innovative Leadership in Sport at UMass. “And with the incoming administration and their professed commitment to undo DEI policies, it reflects the peril and the long journey we still have to go, beyond just breaking barriers with pioneers.”
Monday was also marked by the inauguration of Donald Trump for his second term as president, underscoring the contrasting dynamics of progress and resistance in the U.S. Freeman, focusing on the game, reflected more on his team’s journey than the historic implications of his role, but the day’s significance was undeniable.
Looking Ahead
Both programs will now turn their attention to the upcoming season, focusing on recruitment and development to build upon their successes and address areas of improvement. Ohio State aims to maintain its championship form, while Notre Dame will seek to learn from this experience and strive for future titles. As for Freeman, his groundbreaking tenure continues to inspire conversations about inclusion and representation in college football’s highest echelons.
