(Atlanta) — In a battle between two of the traditional powers of college football, Ohio State won its first national championship since 2014, downing Notre Dame, 34-23, in college football’s national championship game.

Ryan Day’s Buckeyes had a 31-7 lead midway through the third quarter, but a furious Irish comeback had the game in doubt until Will Howard hit Jeremiah Smith with a 57-yard pass on 3rd-and-7 with two minutes left to seal the win.

“Tough moment, tough outcome,” commented a dejected Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman. “I’m proud of what they’ve done. I’m proud of who they are. I was proud to be on this journey with them.”

The Irish came out swinging, putting together an 18-play drive that consumed nine minutes of the clock and ended with a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Riley Leonard. Leonard had nine carries on the drive and was reportedly vomiting on the sideline after the possession.

Ohio State answered with four straight scoring drives, sparked primarily by quarterback Will Howard. The Buckeye signal-caller completed his first 14 passes of the night, including an 8-yard touchdown to Smith on Ohio State’s opening drive, tying the game at 7 early in the second quarter.

On the next possession, Quinshon Judkins capped a six-minute drive with a punishing nine-yard run to give the Buckeyes a lead they would not relinquish.

Later in the second, Judkins hauled in a pass from a scrambling Howard with 27 seconds remaining in the half to give Ohio State a 21-7 lead at the break.

The big play of Judkins’ 100-yard night was a 70-yard run on the second play of the third quarter. Three plays later, the Buckeye running back was in the end zone again and it appeared a rout was on.

Ohio State had built a 31-7 advantage before the Irish showed some fight late in the third quarter. Leonard hit Jaden Greathouse, who shook a tackler and raced 34 yards for a touchdown. A two-point conversion pass to Jeremiyah Love closed the gap to 31-15.

The Buckeyes were driving again, but Drayk Bowen forced a fumble from Emeka Egbuka at the Irish 22. Notre Dame moved down the field again, but the drive stalled at the 7 and Marcus Freeman elected for a field goal attempt.

Freeman said postgame because it was 4th and long, he felt it made more sense to go for the field goal and cut the lead to 13. While he understands Notre Dame would still be down to scores, he felt the probability of scoring 14 points versus 16 was worth it. He said had they been closer than 4th and goal from the 7, he would have went for it.

Regardless of the rationale—the move didn’t work out because Mitch Jeter’s effort went off the left upright and the game remained 31-15.

The Irish forced a three-and-out and came back down the field. Leonard hit Greathouse with another TD pass — this one a 30-yarder, and Jordan Faison completed a two-point conversion to Beaux Collins, narrowing the gap to 31-23.  Greathouse ended the night with six catches for 128 yards and two scores.

That set the stage for the dramatic pass from Howard to Smith, setting up Jayden Fielding’s second field goal of the night, accounting for the final score.

Notre Dame closes a tremendous season with a 14-2 record, falling in a national championship game for the second time in 12 years. Riley Leonard ends his career completing 22-of-31 for 255 yards and two touchdowns.

“We didn’t get it done & it hurts,” said Freeman. “My job is to figure out why and I will. The outlook of Notre Dame football is extremely bright.”