January 21, 2025
It’s a great story about a bunch of guys who have overcome some really tough situations. There was a point where there was a lot of people that counted us out, and we just kept swinging and kept fighting.
Ryan Day, head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, after his team won the championship game.
Why It Matters: Ohio State won the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 20, 2025, defeating Notre Dame 34-23 in Atlanta. In November, the Buckeyes endured one of the toughest losses in program history, falling to rival Michigan for the fourth straight time, leaving many to count them out. But 51 days later, head coach Ryan Day led the team to its first national title since 2014 and ninth overall.
What Happened: Notre Dame struck first, but Ohio State quickly took control. The Buckeyes gained momentum with key plays on offense and defense, pulling ahead by halftime and holding their lead through the second half to secure the win.
Quarterback Will Howard and linebacker Cody Simon stood out, earning MVP awards for their performances. The win proved the team’s resilience and teamwork on college football’s biggest stage. “After all the things that have been said throughout the year,” said Day, “these guys are going to be cemented as one of the best stories in Ohio State history.”
Read More: Ohio State puts away Notre Dame to claim CFP championship (ESPN)
Inside the players-only meeting after Michigan loss that saved Ohio State’s season: ‘It got heated in moments’ (CBS Sports)
Play-by-Play Story of How Ohio State Wins 9th National Team Title (Ohio State)
WATCH National Championship Trophy Ceremony
Image Credit: Ohio State Football / X
by Jalen Meyerpeter, Based in Arizona.
