Ohio State Defeats Texas to Face Notre Dame in 2025 CFP National Championship

Ohio State secured a spot in the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship Game with a 28-14 victory over Texas in the Cotton Bowl semifinal on Friday. The Buckeyes will face Notre Dame, who defeated Penn State 27-24 in the Orange Bowl, on Jan. 20 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The game was a defensive battle, with Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer delivering a game-changing play in the fourth quarter. Sawyer strip-sacked Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and returned the fumble 83 yards for a touchdown, sealing the win for the Buckeyes. Ohio State’s offense was led by quarterback Will Howard, who threw for 289 yards and a touchdown, while running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins combined for 78 rushing yards and two scores.

Texas struggled to find consistency on offense, with Ewers completing 10 of 20 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. The Longhorns’ defense kept them in the game, but costly mistakes and Ohio State’s relentless pressure proved too much to overcome.

Notre Dame, meanwhile, advanced to the championship game after a dramatic comeback against Penn State. The Fighting Irish, led by quarterback Riley Leonard, overcame an early 10-0 deficit to secure the win with a last-second field goal.

The upcoming championship game will feature two of college football’s most storied programs. Ohio State, seeking its first national title since 2014, boasts a roster loaded with NFL talent, including standout receivers Emeka Egbuka and Jeremiah Smith. Notre Dame, under second-year coach Marcus Freeman, has relied on a balanced attack and a stout defense led by safety Xavier Watts, who has six interceptions this season.

Both teams will have key players to watch, including Ohio State’s Howard and Notre Dame’s Leonard, who are both committed to play in the Reese’s Senior Bowl. The game promises to be a clash of styles, with Ohio State’s high-powered offense facing off against Notre Dame’s disciplined defense.