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Judkins and JJ Propel Ohio State to First National Title since 2014

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Christian Proscia (@Christian_Proscia_Photography)

Atlanta, GA.- Everything has led to this moment.

Tonight (January 20) THE Ohio State Buckeyes faced off against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the 2025 National Championship. In the first year of the 12-Team College Football Playoff, we saw both the Buckeyes and the Irish defy the odds, and fight their way to the Title game.

Notre Dame pounded the rock on the opening drive of the game, as Irish QB Riley Leonard led an 18-Play drive en route to his first rushing score of the day. Leonard called his number NINE times for designed QB draws, and converted not one but two early fourth down conversions. As the drive capped off, almost ten minutes of game time was swiftly elapsed from the clock. (7-0 ND, 5:15 1st).

Ohio State spent the remainder of the first quarter driving down the field. As the first ended, the Buckeyes found themselves right inside the red-zone, primed for a tying score. Buckeyes’ QB Will Howard tossed his first touchdown of the evening, finding star true freshman WR Jeremiah Smith for a 8 Yard Touchdown. (7-7, 14;10 1st).

On the next drive, the Buckeye defense held strong, forcing a three-and-out. As Ohio State’s offense took the field, the Quinshon Judkins masterclass began. Just inside the ten, Judkins took a first-and-goal handoff, stiff arms a man at the line of scrimmage, trucks another at the three, and dove into the end zone on a beast mode 9 yard TD rush. (14-7, 6:15 2nd).

Ohio State once again held the Fighting Irish to a three and out, placing their offense back on the field. The Buckeyes marched again for another double digit play drive, as Howard and Judkins linked up again for a 6 yard score right before the end of the first half. (21-7, :27 2nd).

To make matters worse for the Notre Dame faithful, Ohio State received the ball again at the start of the second half. On the SECOND snap of the half, Judkins shot out of a cannon, through the front seven, into the second level and GONE for a 70 yard rush to put the Buckeyes back in scoring position. Quinshon Judkins would inevitably cash his third touchdown of the night on a 1 yard dive. (28-7, 13:46 3)

After four consecutive three and outs, the Fighting Irish finally got back in the end zone, as Riley Leonard found Jaden Greathouse for a 34 yard score. Greenhouse broke the first tackler, spun a second one and sprinted all the way into the end zone, giving the Irish fans some hope. Notre Dame would convert the 2Point Conversion, cutting the lead (31-15, 3:03 3).

Early in the fourth quarter, the Irish would strike again, forcing a fumble at around midfield. Notre Dame’s offense would immediately capitalize, as Leonard and Greathouse connected for their second score of the night on a 30 yard 1 handed touchdown pass. The Irish would once again convert the 2Point try, as Jordan Faison pulled some “Philly-Special” trickery, hitting a wide open Beaux Collins in the back of the end zone, making things a one score game. (31-23, 4:15 4).

Notre Dame’s defense began immediately holding the fort, but then the worst thing possible happened for the Fighting Irish. On 3rd and 11, just under three minutes to go, Will Howard dropped back and hit a WIDE OPEN Jeremiah Smith on the right side of the field for a huge Buckeyes’ gain, putting Ohio State in FG range.

To the surprise of anyone who’s watched a game of football this year, Jeremiah Smith was left in single coverage with absolutely no help over top, leading to the big gain. Like seriously, why was there no safety over top?

The Buckeyes would go onto score a chip shot FG, sealing the game and securing their first National Championship since 2014. The Buckeyes will enter the off-season on top of the sport, looking to reload key departures like QB Will Howard, RB Quinshon Judkins and WR Emeka Egbuka, but also hopeful for the future as star WR Jeremiah Smith and DB Caleb Downs will be returning to Columbus.

Cover Photo Credits: Ohio State Athletics

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