The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship game brought together two powerhouse programs, the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, at the iconic Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. With both teams vying for ultimate glory, the stage was set for a thrilling battle between Notre Dame’s relentless rushing attack and Ohio State’s precision offense. Fans were treated to a game that showcased incredible drives, clutch plays, and high-stakes moments, culminating in a decisive victory for one of college football’s elite programs.

Game Drive Recaps:

​Ohio State won the coin toss and deferred. They will kick off to Notre Dame to start the College Football Playoffs Championship Game.

Notre Dame starts on their own 25 yard line after the touchback. Mixed with runs by quarterback Riley Leonard and a short passing game, the Irish found themselves in a 4th and 1 on the Ohio State 42. Leonard kept the ball and rushed for the first down and continued to push into Buckeyes territory on the opening drive. Ohio State continued to struggle stopping the Irish offense and Notre Dame made it all the way down to the Buckeyes 5 yard line. On 4th and 1, the Irish went for it and Riley Leonard got the first down on a rush by Riley Leonard up the middle and he was stopped on the 1 yard line. On the very next play, Riley Leonard on a quarterback keeper, would easily find his way into the end zone with a rush up the middle. Notre Dame took the early lead with an opening drive that lasted almost 10 minutes in the first quarter. The Buckeyes found themselves trailing in a playoff game for the first time this year, 7-0, with 5:15 remaining in the opening quarter.

Ohio State would start their first series on their own 25 yard line after the touchback on the kickoff. After an 18 play opening scoring drive by the Irish, the Buckeyes offense responded with an 11 play scoring drive of their own. The drive was capped off with a Will Howard pass to Jeremiah Smith for the 15 yard score. We are tied in the College Football Playoff Championship Game, 7-7, with 14:10 remaining in the first half.

Notre Dame would start their next drive on their own 25 yard line after the touchback on the kickoff. Unfortunately, the offense found themselves behind the sticks and could not get a first down after facing a 3rd and 23 on their own 5 yard line. They would punt, and combined with an Ohio State penalty, gave the Buckeyes the ball on their own 24 yard line. The score remains tied, 7-7, with 12:21 remaining in the half.

Ohio State would march downfield with another long drive of 10 plays, capped off with a Quinshon Judkins rushing touchdown of nine yards. The Buckeyes took the lead over the Irish, 14-7 with 6:15 remaining in the first half.

Notre Dame would start their next drive on their own 25 yard line after the touchback. Once again, the Irish offense sputtered on their drive, and where forced to punt. Ohio State will start their drive on their own 20 yard line.

Once again, the Irish defense failed to stop the Buckeyes offense as Ohio State once again marched down the field with another long drive. With :27 remaining in the half, Will Howard would find Quinshon Judkins in the middle of the end zone for the six yard score. After a successful PAT, the Buckeyes took a 21-7 lead into halftime.

Ohio State came out of halftime with th ball after the kickoff and within two plays, found themselves on the Notre Dame 5 yard line after a Quinchon Judkins rush up the middle of 70 yards. Three plays later, Judkins found pay dirt with a 1-yard touchdown rush up the middle, extending their lead over the Irish to 28-7 with 12:46 remaining in the third quarter.

Notre Dame would get the ball on their own 25 after the touchback. They would be forced into a punting situation on their own 33 yard line. But they decided to go for the fake and the pass play was incomplete, giving Ohio State the ball back inside Irish territory with 11:18 remaining in the third quarter.

Notre Dame’s defense, which badly needed a stop, would hold the buckeyes a 46 yard field goal by Jayden Fielding. The field goal extended Ohio State’s lead over Notre Dame to 31-7 with 7:52 remaining in the third quarter.

Notre Dame would get the ball on their own 25 yard line after the touchback on the kickoff. The Irish offense would finally get back on the board with a 34 yard passing score with Riley Leonard hitting Jaden Greathouse. The Irish went for the two point conversion and it was successful after Leonard found Jeremiyah Love in the middle of the end zone. Irish pulled cut into the Buckeyes lead, now 31-15 with 3:03 remaining in the third quarter.

Ohio State would start their drive on their own 25 after a fair catch on the kickoff. Getting desperate for a turnover, the Irish forced a fumble after Drake Bowen punched the football out of the hands of Emeka Egbuka. Notre Dame recovered and took over the ball on their own 21 yard line with 14:46 remaining and down two scores.

Notre Dame would get the ball down to the Ohio State 9 yard line and on 4th down, decide to go with a field goal to cut into the Buckeye’s lead. But the attempt by Mitch Jeter went off the left upright and was no good. Ohio State takes over on their own 9 yard line with 9:26 remaining in the National Championship.

Notre Dame forced a punt after stopping Ohio State on their drive. After the punt, the Irish will start their drive on their own 20 yard line with 6:25 remaining in the game.

The Irish get within a score of Ohio State after Leonard finds Greathouse on a 30 yard touchdown pass. The two point conversion is good as Faison finds Collins in the back of the end zone. Irish now down 31-23 with just over 4 minutes remaining in the game.

​Desperately needing a stop, Notre Dame had the Buckeyes offense on a 3rd and 11 with only 1 timeout remaining and 2:45 on the clock. Will Howard would find Jeremiyah Smith for 57 yards and a 1st down with 2:00 remaining in the game. With no timeouts remaining for Notre Dame, Ohio State was able to run the clock all the way down to :29 seconds, and opted to have Jayden Fielding kick a 33 yard field goal. The kick was up, and it was GOOD. The field goal gave Ohio State an 11 point lead (34-23) with :26 seconds remaining and sealing the Buckeyes victory.

Ohio State’s dynamic offense and timely defensive stands proved too much for Notre Dame in this year’s College Football Playoff National Championship. Despite a valiant effort by the Irish, the Buckeyes secured a well-earned 34-23 victory, adding another national title to their storied legacy. From explosive plays to strategic dominance, the Buckeyes demonstrated why they remain a force in college football. For Notre Dame, the journey to the championship highlighted their resilience and determination, promising an even brighter future for the program.