Redemption is Ryan Day’s.
The Ohio State coach, under fire after losing to Michigan four straight times, is now a national championship-winning coach.
He led the Buckeyes to a 34-23 victory over Notre Dame in the CFP Championship Game on Monday in Atlanta.
BUCKEYES BACK ON TOP‼️
OHIO STATE BECOMES THE FIRST CHAMPION OF THE 12-TEAM CFP 🔥 pic.twitter.com/rxVvpKOauS
— ESPN (@espn) January 21, 2025
OMG BVDGWHBDNABDHKANSBCHKVFEADFCABABCVHAKDVCFJHDAVHKCFBVADKHCBADHKCVFBADKHCHKSVCHAEJWBNCFEADJLFBCNHK
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 21, 2025
It looked like it was going to be a romp as the Buckeyes moved at will on Notre Dame in building a 31-7 lead in the third quarter.
Day’s great night became concerning when Marcus Freeman’s Fighting Irish scored a touchdown in each of the third and fourth quarters to cut the deficit to 31-23.
The Buckeyes were looking at a third-and-10 in the fourth quarter, hanging on to the lead.
Notre Dame sold out for the run, sending seven defenders at Will Howard.
It didn;t work as the Buckeyes quarterback found Jeremiah Smith for a 56-yard completion that basically ended Notre Dame’s comeback hopes.
JEREMIAH SMITH DOWN THERE SOMEWHERE
pic.twitter.com/GVtQqoDKdz— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 21, 2025
The drive ended in a field goal with 26 seconds left that made the final margin 11 points.
The Buckeyes beat Tennessee, Oregon and Texas en route to the CFP Championship Game. They finished 14-2 with losses coming to Oregon and the Wolverines.
