As an alternative of getting to mull over one other collapse, Ohio State can have fun one other nationwide title after holding off a Notre Dame comeback bid on Monday night time to stroll away with a nailbiter of a 34-23 victory over the Combating Irish.
Will Howard hit big-play receiver Jeremiah Smith for 56 yards on a late third-and-11 to lock down a recreation that had been a laugher, then was one thing else. Trailing 31-7, Notre Dame scored two touchdowns and two two-point conversions to make it a one-score recreation late within the fourth quarter.
The Irish stopped Ohio State on the primary two performs of the following drive and used their timeouts. However on third down, Howard discovered Smith in single protection on the correct sideline and dropped his finest go of the season into the fingers of the second-team All-American.
It arrange a subject purpose that began the celebration in earnest, closing out a seven-week climb from the depths of a loss to 20-point underdog Michigan to the highest of school soccer. Ohio State will deliver their first nationwide title because the 2014 season again to the Horseshoe in Columbus.
Howard, a transfer-portal success story from Kansas State, threw for 231 yards and two scores, however nothing will beat the go to Smith with all the things on the road. The receiver, who had been bottled up by Texas within the semifinals and was pretty quiet for many of this recreation, lastly acquired free for the type of play he’s been making all yr. He completed with 5 catches for 88 yards.
Ohio State scored touchdowns on their first 4 possessions, then added a subject purpose on the fifth.
When Quinshon Judkins (100 yards, 11 carries, three TDs), a switch from Mississippi who highlighted Ohio State’s even handed use of the ever-growing portal, busted a 70-yard run to arrange the rating that made it 28-7, this recreation appeared over. However Notre Dame – after which Smith – had one thing else to say.