The legend of the eighth seed came alive for the Ohio State Buckeyes when they completed their run through the CFP bracket by defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23 in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard led the Buckeyes to the title with an 80% completion rate for 231 passing yards with two touchdowns. Running back Quinshon Judkins played a significant role with two touchdowns of his own.
Though the Buckeyes' opponent, No. 7-seeded Notre Dame, wasted no time in scoring on the first drive of the game, Ohio State made history by becoming the only team to win a CFP championship after allowing an opening-drive touchdown, according to ESPN Research.
In response to Notre Dame's opening score, Howard threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Jeremiah Smith to cap off the following drive, beginning the Buckeyes' 21-point second quarter to leap ahead of the Fighting Irish.
The win marks Ohio State's ninth title, and first since the 2014 season.
Social media went into a frenzy after the Buckeyes' win, including their social media account with a Brutus Buckeye graphic trolling Notre Dame.
Here is how the sports world reacted to Ohio State's national championship victory.
Gold Trophies not helmets 🏆 pic.twitter.com/KWyw2JUcu5
— Ohio State Buckeyes 🌰 (@OhioStAthletics) January 21, 2025
😂😂😂 I told yall he know he can win it every year #GoBucks https://t.co/4T0bk4h19m
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) January 21, 2025
Price just went up in Columbus,OH
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) January 21, 2025
Jeremiah Smith‼️
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) January 21, 2025
Coach Ryan Day... You deserve this moment!! ❤️
— Jk dobbins (@Jkdobbins22) January 21, 2025
❗️❗️❗️ https://t.co/4jODa2BbnP
— Bradley Roby (@BradRoby_1) January 21, 2025
BUCKEYES!
— Jerome Baker Jr. (@Lastname_Baker) January 21, 2025
GO BUCKS!! NATTY CHAMPS ❤️✌🏾 @OhioStateFB
— Parris Campbell (@PCampbell21) January 21, 2025
O-H‼️
— Mike Conley (@mconley11) January 21, 2025
O̶n̶e̶ ̶m̶o̶r̶e̶,t̶h̶e̶n̶ Forever. pic.twitter.com/9YchOaLm7V
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) January 21, 2025
Wow!! Will Howard leaves Kansas State and Wins a National Championship with Ohio State!! Congrats Will!!
— Tyler Lockett (@TDLockett12) January 21, 2025
4 consecutive championship for 4!!
— Geno (@GenoSmith3) January 21, 2025
From 11u only 1 year without a chip
🐐🐐🐐🐐