Categories: sports

College Football National Championship Score, Highlights: Ohio State holds off Notre Dame to win title, 34-23

Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins scored three touchdowns for the Buckeyes in the national championship. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Ohio State had to sweat a little Monday night.

The Buckeyes became the first two-loss national champion in 18 years with a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame. Ohio State was much better than the Fighting Irish for the first 40 minutes of the game, but had to fend off a late Notre Dame surge to earn the victory.

Notre Dame scored 16 straight points after Ohio State took a 31-7 lead with 12:46 left in the third quarter. The Irish cut the lead to eight with 4:15 left when Riley Leonard hit Jaden Greathouse for a 30-yard touchdown before a two-point conversion. But Ohio State iced the game with a third down before the two-minute warning when Will Howard hit freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith for a long completion.

(Read Nick Bromberg’s full game recap here)

Live71 updates

  • OHIO STATE WINS CFP NATIONAL TITLE!

  • Ohio State wants his rings

  • By the time OSU won the title…

  • OHIO STATE WINS CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

    The Buckeyes win the first-ever 12-team playoff, defeating Notre Dame 34-23 to win the title!

    This is Ohio State’s first national title since the 2014 season.

  • Ohio State adds FG

    Jayden Fielding makes a 33-yard field goal to make it a two-possession game.

    With 26 seconds to go, it’s just a formality.

    The Buckeyes are on their way to a CFP championship!

    Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 23

  • Another angle of Jeremiah Smith’s capture

  • Ohio State converts on a GREAT passing play!

    The Buckeyes roll the dice on 3rd down with a deep ball to Jeremiah Smith and it results in a huge gain of 55 yards!

    This will be enough to clinch it with a new series of downs at the 2 minute timeout.

  • Ohio State still in control

    Even amid the chaos, the Buckeyes are essentially a first down or two away from winning the title.

    Big 3rd and 11 coming up with 2:45 to play.

  • Leonard at Greathouse is key

    This Notre Dame comeback offering is the whole back of the passing game coming to life with quarterback Riley Leonard finding his go-to target in Jaden Greathouse.

    Greathouse has 5 catches so far for 11 yards and 2 touchdowns.

  • Land at Notre-Dame!

    Riley Leonard to… who else? … Jaden Greathouse for a precise 30-yard TD pass!

    And the 2 point try is GOOD to make it a one score game with 4:15 left.

    Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 23

  • Notre Dame’s passing game comes alive

    Suddenly, Riley Leonard goes for it as the Irish move quickly through midfield again.

    Can they convert it into points this time?

  • Ohio State throws him

    For the first time today, Ohio State is getting rid of it. Obviously a crucial stop by the Notre Dame defense there. ND ball with 6:25 to play for the national title.

  • Did ND make the right decision to kick?

    Many on social media are criticizing Notre Dame’s decision to even attempt a short field goal when they were down 16 in the 4th quarter.

    It was 4th and goal from the 9. Would you have

  • Notre Dame FG NOT GOOD!

    Mitch Jeter’s 27-yard attempt hits the upright, and an exciting drive ends with nothing for Notre Dame!

  • ND moves the chains from 4th down!

    Riley Leonard delivers another big pass to Jaden Greathouse to convert on 4th and 5.

    Notre Dame does just enough to keep this game interesting.

  • Notre-Dame on the move

    Riley Leonard makes a big pass to Jaden Greathouse to get into OSU territory.

    Big 3rd conversion down there for 30 yards.

  • Ohio State doesn’t care!

    Emeka Egbuka loses the ball after a big gain, and Notre Dame gets the turnover they absolutely HAD to have there.

    The Irish will take over on their own 21 yard line.

  • End of 3rd: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 15

    OSU would have faced a 3rd-and-6 from its own 38, but instead put it in Notre Dame territory after a late quarterback hit was called.

    Brutal error from Notre Dame when it needed a save.

  • Land at Notre-Dame!

    Jaden Greathouse with a terrific 34-yard catch and run to give the Irish a desperately needed score.

    And after the 2-point conversion, it’s suddenly a two-score game again.

    Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 15

  • Notre Dame has a drive in progress

    Before this drive, the Irish hadn’t even had a first down since the opening TD.

    Now, thanks to some good plays and a PI penalty, Notre Dame has the ball in OSU territory.
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