Ohio State vs. Notre Dame: National title game live updates, score, highlights

3Q, 14:46: Ohio State fumbles

Will Howard connected with Emeka Egbuka for a 34-yard pickup, but Notre Dame’s Drayk Bown popped the ball out of Egbuka’s hands. Notre Dame’s Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa recovered the fumble, and the Fighting Irish take over on their 21-yard line.

END 3Q: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 15

Ohio State takes its 31-15 lead into the fourth quarter of the national championship game. Notre Dame had the chance to force a third down, but a roughing the passer penalty gave the Buckeyes 15 yards and an automatic first down.

3Q: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 15

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard hit wide receiver Jadin Greathouse for a 34-yard touchdown. On the two-point conversion, Leonard tossed a shovel pass to running back Jeremiyah Love.

Ohio State leads 31-15 with 3:03 remaining in the third quarter.

3Q: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 7

Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding converted a 46-yard field goal attempt, putting the Buckeyes on top 31-7 with 7:52 remaining in the third quarter.

3Q: Notre Dame turnover on downs

Ohio State forced a Notre Dame turnover on downs, with the Fighting Irish failing to convert a pass on 4th-and-2. The Buckeyes take over with 11:18 remaining in the third quarterback.

3Q: Ohio State 28, Notre Dame 7

Two plays after Quinshon Judkins’ 70-yard touchdown run, he punched in a 1-yard run to put Ohio State up 28-7 early in the second half. He’s scored three touchdowns on the night.

3Q: Quinshon Judkins’ 70-yard run

On the second play of the second half from scrimmage, Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins broke a 70-yard run to put the Buckeyes on the Notre Dame 5-yard line.

Second half underway

Ohio State takes over on its 25-yard line to open the second half.

Will Howard finishes 1H with 14 completions

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard finished the first half 14 of 15 for 144 passing yards and two touchdowns. He set the national championship record for consecutive completions in a game.

HT: Ohio State 21, Notre Dame 7

Since Notre Dame’s opening drive, the Buckeyes have outgained the Fighting Irish 221-11.

Ohio State matches Alabama in national title record

2Q: Ohio State 21, Notre Dame 7

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard drew defenders off Quinshon Judkins on what looked like a scramble before dumping it off to the running back for a 6-yard touchdown. The Buckeyes now lead 21-7 with 27 seconds remaining in the first half. They’ll receive to start the second half, too.

2Q: Two-minute timeout

Ohio State faces a 3rd-and-7 from its 45-yard line coming out of the two-minute timeout.

2Q: Notre Dame’s offense stalls

Notre Dame went three-and-out, failing to pick up a first down. Ohio State takes over on its 20-yard line with 4:53 remaining.

2Q: Ohio State 14, Notre Dame 7

Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins powered through multiple defenders on his way to a 9-yard touchdown run. The Buckeyes now lead 14-7 with 6:15 remaining in the first half after their 10-play, 76-yard drive.

Emeka Egbuka makes Ohio State history

Emeka Egbuka has more catches than any player in the history of Ohio State football with 202 receptions.

2Q: Notre Dame punts

Two penalties backed up Notre Dame in its own territory, forcing the Fighting Irish to punt from their 17-yard line. A holding penalty on the punt puts the Buckeyes at their 24-yard line with 12:21 remaining in the first half.

2Q: Ohio State 7, Notre Dame 7

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard found Jeremiah Smith for an 8-yard touchdown pass. The Buckeyes answered Notre Dame with an 11-play, 75-yard drive over six minutes long. Notre Dame takes back over with 14:10 remaining in the first half.

Smith now has more touches than he did against Texas in the Cotton Bowl.

Notre Dame makes history

END 1Q: Notre Dame 7, Ohio State 0

Ohio State is currently on a 9-play, 62-yard drive. The Buckeyes will take over with a 1st-and-10 from the Notre Dame 13-yard line after the quarter break.

Riley Leonard vomits after opening drive

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard immediately ran to the sideline, threw up and stumbled to the bench area after the opening drive, per ESPN’s Molly McGrath. He accounted for 65 of the 75 yards on the opening drive.

1Q: Notre Dame 7, Ohio State 0

Notre Dame capped off an 18-play, 75-yard opening drive with a Riley Leonard 1-yard touchdown run. The Fighting Irish took nearly 10 minutes off the clock, with Leonard accounting for 65 yards.

Ohio State will take over with 5:15 remaining in the first half.

1Q: Notre Dame converts on 4th down

Facing a 4th-and-1 in Ohio State territory, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard ran up the middle for a 3-yard gain. The Fighting Irish are currently on a 10-play, 47-yard drive.

Coin Toss

Ohio State wins the toss and defers. Notre Dame will receive to start the game.

Charles Jagusah set to start

Marcus Freeman said this week that Charles Jagusah is expected to start at left tackle. Jagusah missed the majority of the season with a pectoral muscle injury but returned for the Orange Bowl due to multiple injuries.

LeBron James at game

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is at Monday night’s national championship game.

Jeremiyah Love playing without knee brace

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is not wearing a knee brace tonight. He told On3 on Saturday that, “I’m good, I’m 100 percent.”

Luke Montgomery set to receive start

Ohio State sophomore Luke Montgomery is expected to make his second career start on Monday night. He made his first at left guard last week against Texas and played every offensive snap.

Final betting line

Ohio State enters Monday night’s game as an 8.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel. The over-under is set at 45.5.

Jeremiah Smith’s hamstring wrapped

Ohio State star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith has his left hamstring wrapped tonight.