Summary of the 2025 College Football National Championship Game

Overview of the Game:

The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship was a pretty interesting match between Ohio State Buckeyes and Notre Dame Fighting Irish held in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia. Ohio State defeated the Notre Dame team with a score of 34-23 which ended on January 20, 2025. It added the ninth national championship to Ohio State and the first in the College Football Playoff era since its victory in 2015.

First Half:

Notre Dame scored in a strong opening drive with 18 plays, adding quarterback Riley Leonard on a 1-yard touchdown. Ohio State replied just as quick; quarterback Will Howard reached wide receiver Jeremiah Smith to take it in for the score. Then Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins scored with the Buckeyes to give them the lead on a 9-yard run.

Notre Dame wasn't any sharper on their second drive either, but the completions by Leonards to Kris Mitchell and Eli Raridon set up substantial yardage. Ohio State finished the first half well again with a third score by Judkins and left at halftime Ohio State 21, Notre Dame 7.

Second Half:

Ohio State would come out to start the third hot when Will Howard's touchdown pass stretched it to 28-7. The Buckeyes would eventually move in range and settle a few minutes later at 31-71 for them. Notre Dame would not just wilt and go away either as it answered with an Irish touchdown two point-conversion making it now 31-15.

Notre Dame was on one continuum in the fourth quarter with another touchdown and another two-point conversion that put them at a deficit of 31-23. But the Buckeyes had an answer for everything on Monday as Will Howard of Ohio State found Jeremiah Smith for 56 yards. That resulted in a field goal and Ohio State closing it out, 34-23.

The Buckeyes' defense was solid in the final minutes to seal their win for the national title. It was Ohio State's first national championship since 2014.

Awards Ceremony:

The post-game awards ceremony gave the following awards to both teams:

Offensive MVP: Ohio State quarterback Will Howard took home the Offensive MVP in this game because he was calm and precise throughout, managing the tempo of the game when called upon to deliver.

Defensive MVP: The defensive MVP of the game was Cody Simon, who had an outstanding performance to lead Ohio State in tackles with eight, including one for loss1, enabling the Buckeyes to defeat Notre Dame.

The ceremony also honored the resilience and spirit of both teams, noting Notre Dame's remarkable run to the championship despite its early-season loss. Ohio State was presented with the CFP National Championship Trophy, sponsored by Dr Pepper, a historic moment for the team and its fanbase.

Post-Game Reflections:

The post-game analysis that followed praised Ohio State's game plan on defense while giving considerable notice to the coaches' preparation and in-game adjustments. Notre Dame was applauded for their tenacity and the development under head coach Marcus Freeman-who, against the loss, showed a great deal of progress with the team.

The 2025 National Championship ended Ohio State's drought of championships, but more importantly, perhaps, it laid the bedrock for a new series of future match-ups between them, as each team notched another entry in the annals of their rivalry. It was further evidence of what this expanded 12-team playoff format brings for college football: excitement and unpredictability.

It was the perfect finish to an amazing season with high-voltage displays of college football talent, skillful tactics, and enthusiasm.

CFP National Championship: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Full Game Highlights

Ohio State Boosts Defense with Commitment of 2025 Transfer Ty Howard

In one of the biggest moves to strengthen their linebacker corps, Ohio State University has secured a commitment from Duquesne University transfer Ty Howard for the 2025 season. Howard, an All-Northeast Conference performer, announced that he will join the Buckeyes on January 5, 2025, in a deal seen to further boost a rather strong roster.

Transfer Impact

The addition of Ty Howard to Ohio State is well-timed as the Buckeyes seek to stay atop college football. A multi-faceted defensive back who had an excellent season at Duquesne, Howard earned honors for his work on defense. Howard recorded 52 tackles, seven for loss, four sacks, three interceptions and added several key pass breakups and fumble recoveries in nine games for the Dukes in 2024. His performance, especially his incredible four-game run of recording takeaways, showed him as a potential game-changer on defense.

Why Ohio State?

Ohio State had an interest in Howard due to his trail of success that precedes him and the demand for experienced players within the linebacker core. Howard chose to transfer in due to various factors, including playing on one of the most storied programs in college football with a knack for producing top talent into the NFL. The family tie to Ohio State, too, as Howard is the big brother of freshman running back signee Bo Jackson, probably didn't hurt. As a result, Ohio State not only builds up its defenses but also brings the siblings closer and supportive of each other in their respective collegiate careers.

What Howard Brings to the Team

Howard is a pretty attractive addition with his athletic profile at 6-foot and 200 pounds and two years of eligibility remaining. A big-play-capable defender - as evident in his interception return for a touchdown in 2024 - Howard has a high ceiling within the Jim Knowles defensive scheme. While he will probably start off as a depth addition, his skills indicate that he could vie for a more important position, especially since Cody Simon departed.

Looking Ahead to 2025

Talents will surround the linebacker room at Ohio State, including but not limited to: Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese, Payton Pierce, and Garrett Stover. Then again, Howard has experience and success at the FCS level that might allow him to carve out some sort of role. His addition means strategic depth-the ability of Ohio State to continue performing at a high level in injury or when somebody is underperforming.

With this transfer, Ohio State has continued to utilize the transfer portal as efficiently as in the case of earlier transfers like Will Howard from Kansas State, who has already been declared the starting quarterback for the 2024 season. This trend underlines the Buckeyes' commitment to adapting and enhancing their roster through both high school recruitment and the transfer portal.

Conclusion

Ty Howard's commitment to Ohio State for the 2025 season is a lot more than a transfer but an addition to strengthen up the Buckeyes' defense. Teaming up with his brother and such a talented class of linebackers, Ohio State fans and coaches will be anxious to see how the skills will truly translate into a competitive Big Ten Conference. His storyline from Duquesne to Ohio State will be one to keep an eye on, as he tries to leave his stamp on one of the most historic college football programs.

Duquesne Football Players Ty Howard, JaMario Clements and Joey Isabella Discuss Win Over Mercyhurst