Ohio State defeats Notre Dame to win national championship

ATLANTA — Ohio State Buckeyes fought off a late run by Notre Dame to win the first-ever expanded playoff national championship.

The Buckeyes knocked off the Fighting Irish 34-23 to clinch their seventh national championship and the first of the expanded 12-team playoff format. The Buckeyes also won a national championship in 2014, the first year of the expanded four-team playoff.

Quarterback Will Howard delivered a stellar performance, and the Buckeyes’ defense proved formidable, containing Notre Dame’s offensive efforts throughout much of the game. Ohio State dominated much of the game, though the Fighting Irish made a late run to close the gap.

A few weeks ago, following Ohio State’s loss to Michigan, head coach Ryan Day looked to be on the ropes. However, the Buckeyes notched decisive wins over top-seeded Oregon in the Rose Bowl and a semifinal victory against Texas in the Cotton Bowl to send them to Monday’s national championship.