ATLANTA — In a thrilling culmination to the newly expanded College Football Playoff, Ohio State defeated Notre Dame 34-23 to secure their first national title in a decade. The victory on Monday night at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium marked Ohio State's sixth championship overall and a remarkable comeback story following a tough loss to Michigan just seven weeks ago.

Ohio State entered the game as the eighth seed in the playoffs, a position few could have anticipated after falling to their archrival, Michigan, in a devastating 13-10 defeat that left many questioning coach Ryan Day's future. However, the Buckeyes rallied impressively through the playoff rounds, outscoring their opponents by a combined score of 145-75.

Quarterback Will Howard shone in the championship game, completing 17 of 21 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns, including a crucial 56-yard connection with wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, which effectively sealed Ohio State's victory late in the fourth quarter. "They were running man coverage and I said, ‘Hey, I’m gonna let this loose and let him make a play on it,’” Howard remarked regarding the nail-biting moment that turned the tide, providing a much-needed first down.

The game started in a promising fashion for Notre Dame, who took an early lead with a 1-yard touchdown run from quarterback Riley Leonard. However, Ohio State quickly responded, scoring touchdowns on their first four possessions. Ohio State featured a balanced attack, highlighted by a standout performance from running back Quinshon Judkins, who rushed for 100 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing the effectiveness of the transfer portal strategy employed by the Buckeyes.

The Irish made a valiant effort to mount a comeback, narrowing the gap to 31-23 with just over four minutes remaining, but were unable to capitalize on their momentum, missing a crucial field goal attempt. Notre Dame's Marcus Freeman expressed pride in his team but acknowledged the challenges they faced. “There's a lot of guys that are hurting, but they gave it everything they have. We didn’t get the job done tonight, and we’ve got to figure out why,” he stated.

Ohio State's performance solidified their status as dominant in this playoff era, having achieved a remarkable average score of 36-21 across their four postseason games. Day's successes have silenced critics for now, allowing him to join the ranks of esteemed Buckeye coaches who have brought home the national title before him. "It’s a great story about a bunch of guys who have just overcome some really tough situations," Day reflected, echoing the sentiments of pride shared by the university's supporters.

This championship also marks the first time the Big Ten has claimed back-to-back national titles, a significant achievement following Michigan's triumph the previous year. As history unfolds, college football continues to witness moments that highlight resilience and dedication.

For more details on the championship, view the original articles from LA Times, HuffPost, and USA Today.