Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard on third-and-11 ended up as light as a feather, reaching catcher Jeremiah Smith late in the fourth inning Monday, Ohio State secured a 34-23 win over Notre Dame to win its sixth national championship and first in a decade. It was that 56-yard rush that snuffed out Notre Dame’s fierce comeback and made the Buckeyes champions of the sport’s first 12-team playoff tournament, just as they had been. were champions of the first four-team tournament a decade ago. Howard said of a play that seemed about 100 years removed from the “Three Yards and a Dust” that defined the Ohio State University program: “They were watching a man and I said, ‘Hey, I’m going to throw this out and let him make a play.'”

This was a victory that almost no one thought possible just seven weeks ago Nov. 30 when a 13-10 loss to Michigan led to an on-field riot and questions about whether the coach It’s up to Ryan Day to keep his job as the calendar changes. Maybe the game will be that much sweeter because it takes place in a packed stadium in the middle of SEC land that looks like a Christmas tree Ohio State fans on one side wear red shirts, Notre fans on the other Dame on the other side is wearing a green shirt. Trailing 31-7, Notre Dame scored two touchdowns and two 2-point conversions to make it a one-score game late in the fourth quarter. Cameras in the stadium found legendary Irish coach Lou Holtz in his luxury box, and he ignored all the booing and thumbs-up Buckeye fans.

Smith stood behind Gray on the right side and Howard delivered his best pass of the season into the hands of the second-team All-American. It was the goal that kicked off the real celebration, and helped Ohio State overcome an 8 1/2-point deficit at BetMGM Sportsbook. Howard and Judkins help the transfer portal turn a profit for Ohio State. Howard, a transfer success story from Kansas State, threw for 231 yards and two scores, but nothing could beat Smith’s passing when things were under control. The receiver, who was held by Texas in the semifinals then quiet for much of this game, finally broke out of the play he’s been making all year. He finished with five catches for 88 yards.