Ryan Day silenced the noise Monday night, Jan. 20, with a dominant victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Atlanta. It marked the ninth national championship for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the first under Day, who had been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons throughout the season. But now, the dust has finally settled.
Ryan Day Gets Teary-Eyed After Massive Win Over Notre Dame
After the massive win, Day could not hold back his emotions as he spoke about the sacrifices and trust shown by every member of the program.
YOUR 2024 CFP NATIONAL CHAMPIONS: THE OHIO STATE BUCKEYES 🏆 pic.twitter.com/d2WV4FDqvx
— ESPN (@espn) January 21, 2025
Day experienced a full range of emotions after achieving one of the biggest milestones of his career: winning the CFP National Championship. It had been a tumultuous season for him personally, with intense criticism following a humiliating loss to archrival Michigan and questions surrounding his job security.
But he bounced back. Entering the championship game with a 13-2 record, Ohio State controlled the contest from the start until quarterback Will Howard sealed the win with a game-clinching touchdown pass to Jeremiah Smith in the fourth quarter.
After the game, Day opened up to ESPN’s Holly Rowe.
“It’s the reason why you get into coaching … see guys overcome things, learn life lessons, and reach their dreams. That’s what happened tonight.”
Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes are NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/pXQ7aLBHEo
— ESPN (@espn) January 21, 2025
“I’ve got a bunch of guys who have just overcome some really tough situations,” Day said while still on the field. “There’s a point where a lot of people just counted us out, and we just kept swinging. It’s the reason why you get into coaching. To see guys overcome things, learn life lessons, and reach their dreams. That’s what happened tonight,” he added.
With this win, Day cemented his place among the elite coaches who have led Ohio State to a national title. A decade-long championship drought finally ended on Monday.
Will Howard Earns CFP Championship MVP
Quarterback Will Howard was named MVP of the 2025 CFP National Championship for his dominant performance. He was sharp from the start, delivering two touchdowns while completing 17 of 21 passes for 231 yards. He also contributed on the ground, rushing 16 times for 57 yards.
KEEP READING: Smith Claps Back at Notre Dame Fan After Ohio State’s National Championship Win
Freshman sensation Jeremiah Smith made one of the game’s biggest plays, while Quinshon Judkins left his mark on the program with three scores.
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