Ohio State is going for its first title since the end of the 2014 season. It’s been much longer for Notre Dame; the Irish last won a championship in 1988 when the team capped a 12-0 season with a Fiesta Bowl victory over West Virginia.
It’s no secret that Notre Dame wants to run the ball and it’ll need to have success on the ground against Ohio State. The Irish would be best suited keeping it out of the Buckeyes’ hands and eating up as much clock as possible.
Another key that could swing the game: Which quarterback will make a costly mistake? Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard has thrown an interception in every CFP game so far and Ohio State’s Will Howard has had some truly devastating turnovers in the two games the Buckeyes lost this season. This could be the game for either team where a turnover leads to a game-shifting touchdown.
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End of 3rd: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 15
OSU would have faced a 3rd-and-6 from its own 38 but instead has it into Notre Dame territory after a late hit on the quarterback was called.
Brutal mistake by Notre Dame when it needed a stop.
Touchdown Notre Dame!
Jaden Greathouse with a terrific 34-yard catch and run to get 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 going
Before this drive, the Irish didn’t even have a first down since the opening TD drive.
Now, thanks to a few nice plays plus a PI penalty, Notre Dame has the ball into OSU territory.
Howard misses mark on long pass
Will Howard JUST missed on a deep ball to Carnell Tate to end that drive. It’s about the only mistake he’s made tonight and the Buckeyes still get points.
Ohio State settles for FG
For the first time today, the Buckeyes fail to finish a possession with a touchdown. A small consolation for Notre Dame’s defense. The 46-yard kick by Jayden Fielding is good.
Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 7
Notre Dame fails on a fake punt
Down 3 scores, the Irish made a bold call with a fake punt, but the pass from backup QB Steve Angeli falls incomplete on 4th and 2.
Ohio State ball at the Notre Dame 33.
OSU takes command
Ohio State’s four drives of the game: 11 plays, 75 yards, TD 10 plays, 76 yards, TD 12 plays, 80 yards, TD 5 plays, 75 yards, TD
You could have driven a very large truck through the hole Quinshon Judkins ran through for his 70-yard run. Notre Dame’s defense entered the game second nationally in scoring D, giving up 14.3 points a game.
Touchdown Ohio State!
Quinshon Judkins finished what he started, running for a 1-yard score to increase the Buckeyes’ lead to 3 scores. That’s 3 TDs for Judkins on the day.
OSU breaks off a huge run!
Quinshon Judkins gets loose for a 70-yard scamper before he’s finally tackled at the Notre Dame 5-yard line. What a start out of the locker room.
2nd half begins
Ohio State received the kick to open the second half. Can it build on the lead?
Ohio State in control
It’s hard to be surprised about how the first half has played out. Notre Dame has used Riley Leonard’s running ability as much as it could and Ohio State’s playmakers are showing up like they have all postseason.
So far, Leonard is outmatched on that front. For as good as Jeremiyah Love is, Notre Dame doesn’t have a gamebreaker on the outside to complement him. Ohio State can simply spin a roulette wheel.
LeBron James enjoying Ohio State’s performance
Ohio native LeBron James is happy with what he sees from the Buckeyes so far.
Halftime QB comparison
This doesn’t tell the whole story as Riley Leonard has also ran for 39 yards and willed the Irish to the end zone on the opening drive, but Will Howard is doing whatever he wants through the air.
Halftime: Ohio State 21, Notre Dame 7
The Irish haven’t been able to put any pressure on Will Howard and the OSU quarterback is making them pay.
The Buckeyes will have the ball back to start the second half.
Touchdown Ohio State!
The Buckeyes are in the end zone again just before halftime as Will Howard caps off the lengthy drive with a sneaky pass to Quinshon Judkins. It’s a 12-play, 80-yard drive for OSU — the third long touchdown drive for the Buckeyes.
OSU 21, Notre Dame 7
OSU converts on third down
Will Howard found Carnell Tate over the middle for the first down and the Buckeyes are past midfield.
Two-minute warning
The Buckeyes face a third-and-7 near midfield as the game inches toward halftime. Ohio State QB Will Howard is a perfect 11-for-11 so far.
Notre Dame recovers own fumble, punts
The Irish had a man in motion and the center snapped it into him. They recovered the ball, but are now forced to punt it.
OSU will have the ball at its own 20. There’s 4:53 left in the first half.
Touchdown Ohio State!
The Buckeyes cap off a 10-play, 76-yard drive and take the lead with a tough run into the end zone by Quinshon Judkins.
OSU 14, Notre Dame 7
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