If you were looking for the Ohio State Notre Dame football score from the most recent clash, the number you need is 34-23.
But honestly? That score doesn't even begin to cover the chaos that went down in Atlanta. It wasn't just another game. It was the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship. The first one in the new 12-team era. And man, it lived up to the hype.
For a minute there, it looked like Marcus Freeman might finally get his revenge on his alma mater. Notre Dame came out swinging with an 18-play opening drive that took nearly ten minutes off the clock. Riley Leonard was basically a human battering ram, carrying the ball nine times on that drive alone. When he punched it in for a 1-yard score, he actually went to the sideline and threw up. Talk about leaving it all on the field.
But Ohio State? They didn't blink.
The 31-0 Run That Silenced the Irish
You've probably heard about the Buckeyes' "death star" offense, and it showed up in a big way after that shaky start. After Notre Dame took that 7-0 lead, Ohio State went on a 31-0 tear. It was clinical. It was brutal.
Will Howard, the transfer quarterback who some critics said wouldn't be enough to win a title, looked like a surgeon. He finished 17-of-21 for 231 yards and two touchdowns. But the real star was Quinshon Judkins. He was everywhere. Three total touchdowns—two on the ground and one through the air.
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Why the Buckeyes Pulled Away
- The Middle Eight: Notre Dame usually owns the last four minutes of the first half and the first four of the second. Not this time. Ohio State outscored them 14-0 in that stretch.
- Jeremiah Smith: The freshman phenom. He had five catches for 88 yards, including a 56-yard rainbow on 3rd-and-11 that basically put the game on ice.
- Defensive Adjustments: After that first drive, Cody Simon and Sonny Styles locked things down. They forced two straight three-and-outs while the offense built the lead.
Notre Dame didn't quit, though. They never do. Jaden Greathouse caught two late touchdowns and they even converted a two-point play to make it a one-possession game in the fourth. But then Mitch Jeter hit the upright on a crucial field goal attempt, and the momentum just evaporated.
Ohio State Notre Dame Football Score: Historical Context
If you're a Notre Dame fan, looking at the historical Ohio State Notre Dame football score history is... well, it's painful.
The Fighting Irish haven't beaten the Buckeyes since 1936. That is not a typo. Franklin D. Roosevelt was in his first term.
Since the turn of the century, these teams have played five times. Ohio State has won all five. The games are usually close, but the Buckeyes seem to have a psychic edge in the fourth quarter.
Recent Meetings and Their Scores
The 2023 game in South Bend was perhaps even more heartbreaking than the national title loss. Ohio State won 17-14 with a walk-off touchdown by Chip Trayanum with exactly one second left on the clock.
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The "Ten-Man Disaster" is what people still call it. Notre Dame literally only had ten players on the field for the final two plays. Coach Marcus Freeman admitted he knew they were short a man but didn't want to take a penalty to fix it. It’s those tiny, weird details that haunt a program for decades.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
There's this weird narrative that Notre Dame can't compete physically with the Big Ten's best. That's kinda garbage. In both the 2023 and 2025 games, the Irish offensive line actually held their own.
The real gap hasn't been "toughness." It's been the explosive playmakers.
Ohio State has this factory for NFL wide receivers. Whether it's Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2023 or Jeremiah Smith in 2025, the Buckeyes always have that "one guy" who can score from 60 yards out on any given snap. Notre Dame has been a team of efficiency; Ohio State is a team of explosions.
The Future of the Rivalry
So, where do we go from here?
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The 2025 National Championship win gave Ohio State its 9th title. It also cemented Ryan Day’s legacy. People were calling for his head after losing to Michigan three years in a row, but winning the first 12-team playoff changed the conversation.
For Notre Dame, the loss in Atlanta was a "so close, yet so far" moment. They proved they belong in the elite tier of the CFP era. They beat Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. They beat Penn State in the Orange Bowl. They just couldn't solve the Ohio State riddle.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're following the Ohio State Notre Dame football score trends for future matchups or betting purposes, keep these factors in mind:
- The Quarterback Gap: Keep an eye on the transfer portal. Both teams have leaned heavily on veteran transfers (Will Howard, Riley Leonard, Sam Hartman). The team that hits on the portal QB usually controls the game.
- Home Field Doesn't Matter: Ohio State has won in Columbus, South Bend, Phoenix, and Atlanta. This is a matchup where the "underdog" home crowd hasn't provided the boost you'd expect.
- The Recruiting Trail: Watch the battle for Midwest linemen. Notre Dame has started to win more of these head-to-head battles on the trail, which showed in how they controlled the clock in the 2025 first quarter.
The next time these two giants meet, don't just look at the rankings. Look at the roster depth. Ohio State’s ability to cycle through elite athletes for four quarters is what eventually wears down the Irish defense.
Check the injury reports for specific defensive playmakers like Sonny Styles or Caleb Downs. If the Buckeyes are missing their "centerfielders," the Irish tight end-heavy offense usually feasts. Otherwise, it's a long day for the South Bend faithful.
To get the most out of future matchups, track the efficiency ratings of both teams in the "Middle Eight." As we saw in the 2025 championship, that's where the Buckeyes usually break the game open.