The Buckeyes had no choice but to win the national championship, and they did just that by defeating Notre Dame 34-23 in the Cotton Bowl. The game was a redemption story for coach Ryan Day, who some in Columbus wanted to run out of town after four straight losses to Michigan.
Will Howard, the quarterback who joined Ohio State from Kansas State over a year ago, had a near-perfect first half and scored three touchdowns in two-plus quarters. His deep pass to freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith sealed the game, giving Ohio State its first national title since 2014.
The team’s journey to the championship was not easy, with losses to Michigan and Georgia in the past four years. However, with the return of key players such as defensive end Jack Sawyer and cornerback Denzel Burke, they finally broke through.
Coach Ryan Day said that his team’s victory was a testament to their resilience and ability to overcome adversity. “This game can give you the highest of highs and the lowest of lows,” he said. “But when you sign up for this job, that’s what you sign up for.”
Day credits his coaching staff and players for their role in the team’s success. “These guys learned a bunch of life lessons, but they’re going to go down in Ohio State history as one of the greatest teams to ever play at Ohio State,” he said.
For quarterback Will Howard, the national championship is a dream come true. He says that coach Ryan Day has changed his life and that this title will change the lives of everyone tied to the program.
Source: https://www.nbcsports.com/college-football/news/for-ohio-state-it-was-national-championship-or-bust-the-buckeyes-had-no-choice-but-to-win-it-all