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Following kicker Jaden Fielding’s field goal to stretch Ohio State lead to 11, the Buckeyes (14-2, 7-2 Big Ten) sideline celebrated in a frenzy, understanding that they were closing in on a national championship title against Notre Dame (14-2).
The party, filled with pink and yellow confetti, commenced 27 seconds later as the Buckeyes secured its first title since 2014, winning 34-23, its ninth championship in program history.
OSU’s second-quarter performance was the backbone of its win. The team dropped 21 straight points, led 21-7 at halftime and scored 10 more points right after the break. They led 31-7 halfway through the third behind running back Quinshon Judkins three touchdowns.
The Fighting Irish gained strength as the game continued, though, scoring 16 points in the second half and making it a one-possession game after Greathouse’s one-handed touchdown grab with less than five minutes remaining.
Notre Dame was one stop away from getting the ball back, forcing the Buckeyes into 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 game MVP, throwing for 231 yards on 17-21 passes for two touchdowns and 57 rushing yards.
The Buckeyes’ road to the top wasn’t easy. They beat No. 7 Tennessee, No. 1 Oregon (which they lost to during the regular season) and No. 3 Texas. The victory 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.
For most of the history of the top level of college football, a team had to go undefeated in the regular season, or else get very lucky, in order to contend for a title. A single bad regular season loss often would doom those chances.
But college football is changing, every year. A new 12-team playoff format has opened the door for a new kind of champion.
Both Ohio State and Notre Dame have been strong all season long. But each team dropped a confounding loss in the regular season: the Buckeyes in a rivalry game against a mediocre Michigan team, and Notre Dame in a stunning September upset by Northern Illinois.
Under the old
In the run-up to Monday’s game, Freeman has deflected questions about the milestone, attributing his success to the team as a whole. But his players, including running back Jeremiyah Love, say it’s meaningful to them.
“It’s inspiring. Coach Free sets an example for people that look like us, just lets them know that you can get to the big stage,” Love said this weekend. “I love to see it. Black boys, Black men having success. Shoot, if we win this game, he’s going to be a legend.”
Ohio State’s star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith says he “can’t wait to put on a show”
The jewel of Ohio State’s $20 million roster is the 19-year-old budding superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, a 6-foot-3 true freshman who has lived up to the hype that surrounded his recruitment out of high school.
Smith has racked up 1,227 receiving yards and 15 total touchdowns this season. His biggest game yet came when Ohio State smoked the then-undefeated Oregon Ducks in the quarterfinal. Smith caught 187 yards on seven receptions, two of them for touchdowns. And he did almost all of it in a dominating first
half.
