The moment every college football fan has waited for the whole year finally arrived on Monday, Jan. 20. The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship kicked off at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, scattered with fans waiting and filling the stadium with energy. The iconic trophy sat on a pedestal and watched and waited to be lifted by only the best team in college football.
In this year’s championship, the Ohio State Buckeyes took on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the matchup to decide who got to lift the trophy that night. The stands were roaring with excited fans, some repping Ohio’s iconic scarlet and grey while others were adorned with Notre Dame’s blue and gold.
Ohio State looked to send a message to their Big Ten Conference rivals, the Michigan Wolverines. Michigan won the National Championship last year, as well as upset the Buckeyes in the regular season. Notre Dame had their own motivation as they were attempting to hold their first National Championship since 1988 and bring home a trophy for the first time in over 3 decades.
Both teams’ captains met in the middle to partake in the pregame coin toss, which Ohio State ended up winning. They decided to get the ball in the 3rd quarter, which meant Notre Dame started with the ball first.
In their first possession, the Fighting Irish drove down the field and scored a touchdown after a great 18-play drive, highlighted by two 4th-down conversions. Many people believed Ohio State would have a challenging time with the Fighting Irish, which changed after they ended the first half with three touchdowns, while Notre Dame only had their first seven points to lean on. Ohio had the momentum going into halftime, leading by two touchdowns. The Buckeyes generated 231 yards of offense in that first half, while they held the Irish to 93 yards.
Many celebrities attended to see this year’s CFP Final matchup. They ranged from the likes of basketball legend Lebron James, MLB star Bryce Harper, and actor Anthony Mackie. One well-known celebrity would also have a part in the halftime show of the game. Musical artist Travis Scott performed at the top of the stadium, debuting his new song 4×4, which will be released this Friday, Jan. 24.
After halftime, both teams came back out of the tunnel onto the biggest stage in college football, ready to seal the victory for their team. Notre Dame had already been in a similar situation against Penn State, where Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman delivered a halftime quote that helped them win the Orange Bowl.
“We ain’t about to panic,” Freeman said. “Ain’t no need to be nervous. It’s a fight.”
They ended up winning that game 27-24. Notre Dame was comfortable where they were and confident in themselves that they could make a comeback.
Throughout the second half, Notre Dame put up a great fight, even putting the game into reach at one point. But a field goal in the fourth quarter by Buckeyes kicker Jayden Fielding sealed the deal for Ohio State. With practically no time left on the clock, Notre Dame’s chances at another comeback story concluded. The game ended 34-23, and Ohio State basked in their ninth National Championship in team history.
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day was interviewed after the game, where he mentioned and thanked the Buckeye fans.
[The victory] meant more [to the] people of Ohio and all of the Buckeye Nation,” Day said. “Nothing is guaranteed, but I always felt that after all [the difficult times] the team and coaches [have gone] through to achieve their goal, now it’s an even better story, and I hope they’re all proud of what we’ve done.”
