Live updates, highlights, game score: No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 8 Ohio State in national championship game
ATLANTA — This is it. This is the big one. No. 7 Notre Dame (14-1) vs. No. 8 Ohio State (13-2) in the national championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Kickoff between the Fighting Irish and Buckeyes is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET. Follow along on this page with Blue & Gold‘s live updates from the press box.
Notre Dame falls on a fumble
01/20/2025 09:20:29 PMOhio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka gained 24 yards on an end around, but Notre Dame linebacker Drayk Bowen knocked the ball loose at the end of the play and the Irish recovered. Now the Irish really have life with an entire quarter left to play.
End 3: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 15
01/20/2025 09:13:34 PMWe’ve reached the final quarter of the college football season, and Notre Dame needs to win it by 16 points to save its national title hopes. The Buckeyes have the total yards edge, 336 to 161, and they’re driving heading into the fourth with the ball on the Notre Dame 45.
SCORE: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 15
01/20/2025 09:04:45 PMThe Irish might have a little bit of life. Jaden Greathouse scored on a 34-yard tackle-breaking catch and run, and Notre Dame’s two-point conversion was successful on a shovel pass to Jeremiyah Love. It’s technically a two-score game with 3:03 left in the third quarter.
SCORE: Ohio State 31, Notre Dame 7
01/20/2025 08:51:06 PMWill Howard overthrew a wide-open Carnell Tate in the end zone on third down. Ohio State settles for a 46-yard field goal after the Irish turnover on downs, and it’s good. The Buckeyes are leading by 24 with 7:52 left in the third quarter.
Notre Dame turnover on downs
01/20/2025 08:47:30 PMOn fourth and two from its own 33, Notre Dame went with a fake punt. Backup quarterback Steve Angeli was on the field and took a direct snap and rolled to his right. He laid out and accurate pass for Jordan Faison, who let the ball go through his hands and into the turf. The Buckeyes have the ball in prime position, leading 28-7, early in the third quarter.
SCORE: Ohio State 28, Notre Dame 7
01/20/2025 08:39:46 PMQuinshon Judkins rattled off a 70-yard run on the second play of the second half. Then he capped it off with a one-yard touchdown touchdown plunge on third and goal. This is officially very, very ugly for Notre Dame, who might merely be playing for pride the rest of the way.
SCORE: Ohio State 21, Notre Dame 7
01/20/2025 08:09:35 PMThis Buckeyes team cannot be stopped. Three possessions. Three touchdowns. OSU went 80 yards in 12 plays to land a gut punch right before halftime. Quarterback Will Howard is 14 of 15 for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns. He’s been good as a runner, too, and that helped him with his second scoring strike through the air; he rolled out and drew the Notre Dame defense to him in the flat. Then he flicked the ball to a wide-open target in the end zone from six yards out.
Another empty possession for Notre Dame
01/20/2025 08:00:36 PMThe Irish went three and out on a series that featured a five-yard Riley Leonard run, Leonard missing a wide-open tight end streaking over the middle of the field and a botched snap that hit a tight end in motion. The Irish were lucky to fall on the ball and punt it away — to a red-hot Ohio State offense, though.
SCORE: Ohio State 14, Notre Dame 7
01/20/2025 07:46:05 PMTwo possessions, two touchdowns for the Buckeyes. They’ve both been demoralizing drives for the Notre Dame defense. The second of them was 76 yards in 10 plays and ended with a physical 9-yard touchdown rush from Quinshon Judkins. The Irish have 6:15 to answer before halftime.
Penalties doom Notre Dame’s second possession
01/20/2025 07:30:13 PMIn rapid succession, Beaux Collins was called for a false start and Charles Jagusah was called for holding. The Irish suddenly faced 2nd and 25 deep in their own territory, thus ruining any shot they had at moving the ball like they did on the opening drive of the game. It’s 7-7 with 12:21 left in the second quarter.
SCORE: Notre Dame 7, Ohio State 7
01/20/2025 07:20:44 PMOhio State responds to Notre Dame’s touchdown drive with an impressive one of its own. Jeremiah Smith scored on a well-designed play from the Notre Dame 8 yard line. The Buckeyes went 75 yards in 11 plays. Both teams have only had the ball once, and there is 14:10 left in the second quarter.
End 1: Notre Dame 7, Ohio State 0
01/20/2025 07:14:18 PMThe Fighting Irish have the lead headed to the second frame, but the Buckeyes are driving. Ohio State has the ball on the Notre Dame 13 yard line after a Will Howard third down conversion on the ground. He pulled his best Riley Leonard on that one.
Leonard showcases his faith
01/20/2025 07:11:14 PMLeonard spoke a lot on his religion in the lead up to this game, and he used his touchdown as an opportunity to continue that conversation in the national championship game.
SCORE: Notre Dame 7, Ohio State 0
01/20/2025 07:01:17 PMNotre Dame goes 75 yards in 18 plays to get on the board first. Quarterback Riley Leonard walked into the end zone from one yard out for the score. The Fighting Irish converted on third down twice and fourth down twice during their longest drive of the season.
Ohio State wins toss, defers to second half
01/20/2025 06:46:34 PMNotre Dame’s offense will be on the field first.
Lee Corso picks Notre Dame
01/20/2025 06:27:03 PMThe legend is rolling with the Fighting Irish.
