ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JANUARY 20: Quinshon Judkins #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates a touchdown during the third quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2025 CFP National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins scored three touchdowns for the Buckeyes in the national championship. ( Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Ohio State had to sweat a little bit on Monday night.

The Buckeyes became the first two-loss national champion in 18 years with a 34-23 win over Notre Dame. Ohio State was far better than the Fighting Irish for the first 40 minutes of the game, but needed to stave off a late push from Notre Dame to get the victory.

Notre Dame scored 16 straight points after Ohio State took a 31-7 lead with 12:46 to go in the third quarter. The Irish trimmed the lead to eight with 4:15 to go when Riley Leonard hit Jaden Greathouse for a 30-yard TD before a two-point conversion. But Ohio State iced the game on a third down before the two-minute warning when Will Howard hit freshman phenom Jeremiah Smith for long completion.

[Read Nick Bromberg’s full title game recap right here]

Live74 updates

OHIO STATE WINS CFP NATIONAL TITLE!

Mon, January 20, 2025 at 11:38 PM EST
Celebration continues for OSU
Mon, January 20, 2025 at 11:32 PM EST
OSU coach and AD share a moment after the win
Mon, January 20, 2025 at 11:30 PM EST
Will Howard basks in moment
Mon, January 20, 2025 at 11:14 PM EST
Ohio State wants its rings
Mon, January 20, 2025 at 11:13 PM EST
The moment OSU secured the title …
Mon, January 20, 2025 at 11:08 PM EST
OHIO STATE WINS THE CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

The Buckeyes win the first-ever 12-team playoff, beating Notre Dame 34-23 to claim the title!

It’s Ohio State’s first national title since the 2014 season.

Mon, January 20, 2025 at 11:06 PM EST
Ohio State adds a FG

Jayden Fielding hits a 33-yard field goal to make it a two-possession game.

With 26 seconds left, it’s all a formality now.

The Buckeyes are on the way to a CFP championship!

Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 23

Mon, January 20, 2025 at 11:01 PM EST
Another angle of the Jeremiah Smith catch
Mon, January 20, 2025 at 10:56 PM EST
Ohio State converts on a BIG pass play!

The Buckeyes roll the dice on 3rd down with a deep ball to Jeremiah Smith and it pays off for a huge 55-yard gain!

That will just about clinch it with a fresh set of downs at the 2-minute timeout.

Mon, January 20, 2025 at 10:54 PM EST
Ohio State still in control

Even amid the chaos, the Buckeyes are basically one or two first downs away from securing the title.

Big 3rd and 11 coming up with 2:45 to go.

Mon, January 20, 2025 at 10:51 PM EST
Leonard to Greathouse is the key

This Notre Dame comeback bid is all the back of the passing game coming to life with QB Riley Leonard finding his go-to target in Jaden Greathouse.

Greathouse has 5 catches for 11 yards and 2 TDs so far.

Mon, January 20, 2025 at 10:46 PM EST
Touchdown Notre Dame!

Riley Leonard to … who else? … Jaden Greathouse for a 30-yard pinpoint TD pass!

And the 2-point try is GOOD to make it a one-score game with 4:15 to play.

Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 23

Mon, January 20, 2025 at 10:42 PM EST
Notre Dame’s passing game coming alive

Suddenly Riley Leonard is slinging it out there as the Irish have quickly crosses midfield again.

Can they convert it into points this time?

Mon, January 20, 2025 at 10:37 PM EST
Ohio State punts it

For the first time today, Ohio State is punting it away. Obviously a crucial stop by the Notre Dame defense there. ND ball with 6:25 to play for the national title.

Mon, January 20, 2025 at 10:36 PM EST
Did ND make the right decision to kick?

Many on social media are being critical of Notre Dame’s decision to even try a short field goal when it was down 16 in the 4th quarter.

It was 4th and goal from the 9. Would you have

Mon, January 20, 2025 at 10:29 PM EST
Notre Dame FG NO GOOD!

Mitch Jeter’s 27-yard attempt hits the upright, and an exciting drive ends in nothing for Notre Dame!

Mon, January 20, 2025 at 10:25 PM EST
ND moves chains on 4th down!

Riley Leonard delivers another big pass to Jaden Greathouse to convert on 4th-and-5.

Notre Dame doing just enough to keep this game interesting.

Mon, January 20, 2025 at 10:22 PM EST
Notre Dame on the march

Riley Leonard completes a big pass to Jaden Greathouse to get into OSU territory.

Big 3rd down conversion there for 30 yards.

Mon, January 20, 2025 at 10:19 PM EST
Ohio State fumbles it away!

Emeka Egbuka lost the ball after a big gain, and Notre Dame gets the turnover it absolutely HAD to have there.

The Irish will take over at their own 21-yard line.

Mon, January 20, 2025 at 10:15 PM EST
End of 3rd: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 15

OSU would have faced a 3rd-and-6 from its own 38 but instead has it into Notre Dame territory after a late hit on the quarterback was called.

Brutal mistake by Notre Dame when it needed a stop.