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Ohio State vs. Notre Dame game balls

On3 imageby:Todd Burlage•about 11 hours•

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Watts
Notre Dame graduate safety Xavier Watts (0) in the national championship game against Ohio State (Dale Zanine/Imagn Images)

With hopes high on Monday that Notre Dame could stuff its trophy case with a 12th national championship trophy and a long-list of game-ball candidates, the Irish were instead beaten 34-23 by Ohio State and left with limited options to choose from for MVP honors.

Here are the three most deserving.

S Xavier Watts

Marking a terrific end to his wonderful Irish career, the two-time All-American did all he could in the loss to Ohio State by tying for the Notre Dame team lead with 8 tackles, while adding 1 pass breakup and 1 tackle for loss.   

And while Watts’ effort was notable and team-leading, the Notre Dame graduate never found the opportunity to make one of his trademark game-changing plays against the Buckeyes. 

Watts finished the season tied for second nationally with 6 interceptions, and as one of the best cover safeties in Irish history. 

QB Riley Leonard

The senior quarterback played another complete and gutsy game in his final outing for the Irish, even in a losing effort.

Leonard finished the night 22-of-31 passing for a season-high 255 yards with 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions, while adding another 40 rushing yards on 17 carries with a 1-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.

A complete game for Leonard, indeed, his outing in the title game might be best remembered for the 18-play, 75-yard, 9:45 touchdown drive he opened the game with on the Irish first possession 

Leonard, on the drive, rushed 9 times for 34 yards — including his 1-yard scoring run — and completed 3 passes for 31 yards. 

WR Jaden Greathouse

The sophomore played the best game of his career against Ohio State with 6 catches for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The first score for Greathouse came on a 34-yard catch in the third quarter that pulled the Irish within 31-15 and provided some hope for a comeback.

His second touchdown came with 4:15 remaining in the game to get Notre Dame within 31-23, but his memorable night wasn’t enough. 

This second-straight career night for Greathouse came as an encore to the semifinal win over Penn State when he had 7 catches for 105 yards, and the game-winning touchdown.

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