Ohio State beats Notre Dame to win College Football Playoff National Championship Game: Live updates and reaction

Will Howard transferred from Kansas State to Ohio State last summer and relished the opportunity. The senior quarterback threw for 231 yards, rushed for 57 more yards and tallied two touchdowns in the Buckeyes’ 34-23 win over Notre Dame.

Howard and the Buckeyes overcame adversity after losing to both Oregon and rival Michigan in the regular season. Ryan Day’s teams outscored opponents 143-75 during the College Football Playoff, and went 4-0 against four of the nation’s top 10 teams (Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, Notre Dame).

The Pennsylvania native finished his fifth collegiate season on the highest of notes and gave an emotional response when asked about his time as a Buckeye.

“I have no words man, it’s changed my life,” Howard said in his postgame interview on ESPN. “They (Ohio State teammates and coaches) have changed my life in more ways than I can say. Coach Day and these guys here have completely changed my life. (Former Ohio State coach Jim) Tressel told us that, but I can ‘ I don’t think God gave me the chance to be a Buckeye, and there’s nothing like it.”