Quick takes from Notre Dame vs. Ohio State in the national championship game

Ohio State and Notre Dame both overcame crippling upsets to position themselves in Atlanta with a chance to etch themselves into history.

The Buckeyes proved to be too much to stop.

Early on, Notre Dame made a statement. Ohio State followed that with statements to take control of the game.

Ohio State scored on its first four drives to take a commanding lead. Notre Dame, during a playoff run with plenty of magical moments, made a few more. Jaden Greathouse came up with another 100-yard game and scored two touchdowns. But, the Irish couldn't come up with enough magic to get back in the game.

In the first 12-team College Football Playoff bracket, the Ohio State Buckeyes were the last team standing.

Ohio State won the national championship 34-23.

Here are our takeaways from the College Football Playoff National Championship game.

Notre Dame's first punch needed to have a second

The Irish went on an 18-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to open the game. It was a true punch to the mouth that made Irish fans believe. The Irish offensive line controlled the point of attack and pushed the Ohio State defensive line. Riley Leonard capped the drive with a touchdown plunge that  

After that, Notre Dame's next two drives gained 11 yards on six offensive plays. The Irish sputtered. That allowed Ohio State to take control.

The first drive was proof that Notre Dame had the power to push Ohio State, but penalties and miscues never allowed Notre Dame's offense to stay on target.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 20: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball as Howard Cross III #56 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish pursues during the second quarter in the 2025 CFP National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Will Howard had the game of his life

The talk about transfer quarterbacks dominated the national championship airwaves and news cycles. Will Howard proved why.

He set a national championship game record with 13-straight completions to open the game. He had the moxie of a national championship-winning quarterback.

OSU offensive coordinator Chip Kelly had plenty of snazzy plays in his playbook, but Howard executed them flawlessly to give Ohio State a 21-7 lead at halftime that felt much more like 28-0.

In fact, OSU was the first team to score on its first three offensive drives in a national championship game since Alabama in 2013. Alabama did that against Brian Kelly's Notre Dame team.

Howard was so good, it didn't matter if the offense stalled in the second half. The 28-7 lead was enough.

When Notre Dame first and goal from the Ohio State nine, it was the 25th time this season the Buckeyes' defense was faced with a first and goal. When Mitch Jeter doinked a field goal off the left upright, it marked the ninth time those opponents failed to score a point.

Notre Dame couldn't keep up with Ohio State's best players

The Fighting Irish were missing their starting left tackle, one of their starting defensive tackles, their star cornerback and one of their better pass rushers on Monday.

Those absences limited Notre Dame this season, but never hindered the Irish to where they were glaring omissions. 

Those absences loomed large in the national title game.

The Irish made some plays – Drayke Bowen forced a fumble and Jaden Greathouse made a couple guys miss in a 34-yard touchdown – but that was far too little to keep up with the amount that Ohio State had already put up. 

Some of this miscues were self-inflicted.

Notre Dame called an obvious fake punt on a 4th and 2, which would have worked had Jordan Faison not dropped the pass. They kicked and missed a field goal on fourth and goal from the nine in a two-score game. There was also a roughing the quarterback on RJ Oben on third down that extended a Buckeyes' drive.

Notre Dame couldn't overcome it.

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