Buckeyes have won the national championship once more. Dominance is a long-standing custom. Honor excellence. Bravo, Bucks
There are moments in sports that transcend a single season, that reverberate into history, reaffirming a program’s identity, culture, and unwavering excellence. This year, the Ohio State Buckeyes etched their name yet again at the pinnacle of college football, winning the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship. Like a blacksmith forging steel over time, their dominance has been hammered into tradition—an enduring testament to greatness. Bravo, Bucks.
With a 34–23 victory over Notre Dame in Mercedes‑Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025, Ohio State secured its ninth recognized national title, solidifying its standing among college football’s elite . It marked the Buckeyes’ first championship since 2014—ending an 11‑year drought—and they did so in dramatic fashion, capping off an unprecedented playoff run in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff .
Their path was anything but easy. After stumbling late in the regular season with losses to Oregon and Michigan, many doubted whether they could find their footing. Yet, head coach Ryan Day and his team answered those doubts emphatically. Seeded eighth, Ohio State dismantled Tennessee (42–17), avenged their loss to Oregon in the Rose Bowl (41–21), and routed Texas in the Cotton Bowl semifinal (28–14), entering the championship as both underdogs and warriors .
The final test came against a resilient Notre Dame squad. Though the Irish jumped ahead early, the Buckeyes responded with 31 unanswered points, crossing the finish line with a flourish. Quarterback Will Howard was stellar—completing 17 of 21 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns, earning Offensive MVP honors . Running back Quinshon Judkins chimed in with dual-threat excellence: rushing for over 100 yards and scoring three times . Freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith flashed brilliance in clutch moments, including a 56-yard bomb that sealed the win . Defensively, linebacker Cody Simon was a tackling machine and earned Defensive MVP honors with eight stops .
Beyond the stats and trophies lies the true narrative: Ohio State’s triumph embodies resilience and tradition. They are the first team in history to win a national title with four playoff victories in the 12-team format . They stand as the first two-loss national champion since 2007—proof that adversity fuels greatness . More than that, they accomplished something unparalleled: six victories over opponents ranked in the final AP Top 10, including five against Top 5 foes—a record in the modern poll era .
This championship doesn’t just add a number to the trophy case—it reinforces a legacy. The Buckeyes now sit tied for sixth all-time in national titles, trailing only the titans like Alabama and Notre Dame . They join an exclusive lineage of dominance that stretches back through decades of legendary coaches—Woody Hayes, Urban Meyer, Jim Tressel—and now, Ryan Day, who has etched his name among them .
The celebration that followed was nothing short of electric. On January 26, Columbus erupted as 30,000 fans converged on Ohio Stadium for a “Celebration of Champions”—an event that reflected both community pride and national acknowledgment . The U.S. Senate even passed a formal resolution commending the team, acknowledging the leadership of senior players who deferred NFL dreams to complete this journey .
And the ripple effect? Powerful. The Buckeyes have not only reclaimed college football supremacy—they’ve ignited excitement for the upcoming season. Ohio State is early 2026 national title favorite, widely projected to challenge again . With coach Day locked in through 2031 via a multiyear extension, the program’s foundation is stronger than ever .
Yes, perseverance, preparation, excellence—these are Ohio State hallmarks. Dominance is a long-standing custom here, not an anomaly. From Rose Bowl showdowns in the 1960s, through the spark of modern CFP glory in 2014, to this latest crowning glory in 2025, the Buckeyes have showcased a consistency others envy.
Honor excellence. Bravo, Bucks.
