ATLANTA — As an alternative of crying over one other collapse, Ohio State can have a good time one other nationwide title after holding off a Notre Dame comeback bid Monday night time to stroll away with a nailbiter of a 34-23 victory over the Preventing 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 2-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 fitting sideline and dropped his finest move of the season into the palms of the second-team All-American.
It arrange a area 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 faculty soccer. Ohio State will deliver its sixth “natty” and first for the reason that 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 move to Smith with all the things on the road.
The receiver, who had been bottled up by Texas within the semifinals then pretty quiet for many of this recreation, lastly obtained unfastened for the sort of play he’s been making all yr. He completed with 5 catches for 88 yards.
Ohio State scored touchdowns on its first 4 possessions, then added a area purpose on its 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 seemed over.
It wasn’t, and now Irish coach Marcus Freeman must reply just a few robust questions — one concerning the failed pretend punt within the third quarter that was a area purpose for a 31-7 lead, the opposite about sending Mitch Jeter in for a brief area purpose try whereas down 16 and dealing with fourth-and-goal from the 9. It might need seemed like a greater name had Jeter’s kick not clanged off the left upright.
Actually, although, Ohio State was the higher workforce. The Buckeyes outgained Notre Dame 445 yards to 308. Howard accomplished his first 13 passes and by no means actually obtained stopped. The proof: Ohio State punted a grand whole of as soon as.
