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A look at the conclusion to the CFP
The National Championship for the 2024 season wasn’t expected to be particularly close. The Ohio State Buckeyes entered the game as seven-point favorites. Early on, they showed exactly why. With playmakers at every position on both sides of the ball, the Buckeyes consistently found ways to involve their key contributors and dominate the game.
OSU started out hot. They scored repeatedly and quickly, building a commanding 28-7 lead early in the second half. At that point, everything seemed to be spiraling out of control for the Fighting Irish. However, Notre Dame found ways to claw back into the game, limiting the Buckeyes to field goals and scoring critical touchdowns of their own. The Irish managed two touchdowns in the second half, converting two-point conversions on both, which pulled them within a single score in the fourth quarter. For the first time all night, the game felt competitive.
Despite the momentum shift, Ohio State ultimately slammed the door on Notre Dame’s comeback hopes. A late Buckeye field goal in the fourth quarter put the game just out of reach, securing their victory. The final score was 34-23, and Ohio State celebrated their first national championship in a decade.
Key Players
Will Howard: The Buckeye quarterback capped off an outstanding playoff run with a poised performance in the biggest game of his career. Howard completed 17 of 21 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns. He didn’t try to play hero ball and avoided turnovers, effectively managing the offense and solidifying his draft stock.
Quinshon Judkins: Judkins made a strong case for NFL scouts to take notice. While he didn’t see heavy usage in this game, he made the most of his 13 touches, racking up 121 yards and two crucial touchdowns. His ability to break open big plays was instrumental in Ohio State’s victory.
Here’s a look at his biggest run of the night, a 70-yard house call that put Ohio State up 28 to 7:
Jeremiah Smith: The true freshman receiver has already established himself as one of the top wideouts in college football and made an early case as a Heisman front-runner for next season. After a quiet performance in the semi-final, Smith bounced back in a big way. He tallied 88 receiving yards, a touchdown and further cemented his reputation as Ohio State’s premier deep-ball threat.
by Jacob.Thompson
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