Ohio State hosts Notre Dame to capture the College Football Playoff title

After kicker Jaden Fielding’s field goal to extend Ohio State’s lead to 11, the Buckeyes (14-2, 7-2 Big Ten) celebrated wildly on the sidelines, knowing they were closing in on a national championship against Notre Ladies (14-2).

The party, filled with pink and yellow confetti, started 27 seconds later as the Buckeyes secured their first title since 2014, winning 34-23, its ninth championship in program history.

OSU’s second-quarter performance was the backbone of its victory. The team dropped 21 straight points, led 21-7 at halftime and scored 10 more straight after halftime. They led 31-7 midway through the third behind running back Quinshon Judkin’s three touchdowns.

The Fighting Irish rallied as the game wore on, but scored 16 points in the second half and made it a one-possession game after Greathouse’s one-handed touchdown grab with less than five minutes remaining.

Notre Dame was one stop short of getting the ball back, forcing the Buckeyes on 3rd and 11, but quarterback Will Howard connected with wideout Jeremiah Smith on a go-ball route to give them a first down and lead to Fielding’s field goal.

Howard was named the game’s MVP, throwing for 231 yards on 17-21 passing for two touchdowns and 57 rushing yards.

The Buckeyes’ road to the top was not easy. They beat no. 7 Tennessee, no. 1 Oregon (who they lost to in the regular season) and No. 3 Texas. The win punches coach Ryan Day’s ticket into a prestigious room of coaches who have won a championship at Ohio State: Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel, Woody Hayes and Paul Brown.