Ohio State’s relentless offense took down Notre Dame 7-0 at the end of the first half, silencing the Fighting Irish’s early momentum after they dominated for seven points in the first quarter.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard was utilized as a running back with nine runs for 34 yards to stall Ohio State’s defense and create scoring opportunities. However, the Buckeyes’ response showcased their impressive depth as they countered with six-minute touchdown drives on both halves of the first half.
The second drive by Notre Dame went awry, resulting in three straight plays from scrimmage that netted zero yards, after which the defense adjusted to shut down the Fighting Irish’s offense. This adjustment ultimately led to Ohio State securing another six-minute touchdown drive before halftime.
While the Buckeyes’ victory seems inevitable, this game remains competitive as it stands at the start of the third quarter. Notre Dame has a deficit to overcome, and with Ohio State now holding possession at the beginning of the second half, their momentum is difficult to predict.
As the Longhorns demonstrated in their own playoff run, not even the best defenses can contain the Buckeyes’ explosive offense for an extended period. With so many highs and lows throughout their postseason journey, Ohio State has consistently shown they are a formidable force that must perform at their highest level to claim the championship.
Source: https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2025/01/ohio-state-is-teaching-notre-dame-a-lesson-the-rest-of-college-football-already-learned-stephen-means-halftime-thoughts.html