Honestly, if you were in Atlanta on that Monday night in January 2025, you felt it. The air in Mercedes-Benz Stadium wasn't just electric; it was heavy. You had two of the biggest brands in college football—the kind of programs that usually only meet in high-stakes "Game of the Century" scenarios—finally clashing for the ultimate trophy. The final Ohio State Notre Dame score of 34-23 might look like a comfortable win on paper, but that's a flat-out lie.
It was a fistfight that nearly broke Marcus Freeman and Ryan Day before a freshman phenom decided he’d had enough of the drama.
Most people look at the score and see a double-digit Buckeyes win. They see Ryan Day finally getting his ring. But if you actually watched the game, you know Notre Dame had the Buckeyes on the ropes for the entire first half. Riley Leonard, who literally threw up on the sideline after an exhausting 18-play opening drive, played with the kind of "synergy" we haven't seen in South Bend for decades. Yet, in the end, the Ohio State vs Notre Dame score was dictated by raw, unadulterated talent and a couple of coaching decisions that will be debated in Irish pubs and Columbus sports bars for the next twenty years.
The 34-23 Breakdown: How It Actually Went Down
Forget the box score for a second. Let's talk about the momentum swings. Notre Dame landed the first punch. Hard. That opening drive lasted ten minutes. Ten. Minutes. By the time Riley Leonard punched it in, he looked like he’d just run a marathon in a sauna.
The Irish defense, led by Howard Cross III, was making Will Howard look like a "game manager" in the worst sense of the word. Ohio State was stagnant. The Buckeyes’ offensive line, missing guys like Seth McLaughlin, was struggling to handle the Irish blitz. But then, the second half happened.
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The Turning Points
- The Jeremiah Smith Factor: You can't talk about this score without talking about the kid. Jeremiah Smith caught an 8-yard TD in the second quarter that basically woke the Buckeyes up. But his real contribution? A massive third-down catch in the fourth quarter against man coverage that sealed the deal.
- Quinshon Judkins’ Efficiency: While Howard was steady (17/21 for 231 yards), Judkins was the hammer. He caught a touchdown and ran for two more. He didn't just gain yards; he stole the Irish defense's soul in the fourth quarter.
- The Goal Line Stand: Before Jack Sawyer’s scoop-and-score (which technically didn't happen in the final, but his defensive presence was the catalyst), the Buckeyes proved why they had the best goal-line defense in the country.
History Repeated: Why Ohio State Owns the Recent Series
If you’re a Notre Dame fan, looking at the Ohio State Notre Dame score history is a bit like reading a horror novel. Since 1995, it’s been all Buckeyes.
Ohio State has won seven straight meetings. Let that sink in. The all-time series now stands at 7-2 in favor of the Buckeyes. The Irish haven't beaten the Scarlet and Gray since 1936. That’s not a rivalry; that’s a "big brother, little brother" situation that Marcus Freeman is desperately trying to flip.
| Year | Winner | Score | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Ohio State | 34-23 | CFP National Championship |
| 2023 | Ohio State | 17-14 | The "10-men on the field" heartbreak |
| 2022 | Ohio State | 21-10 | Season opener in Columbus |
| 2016 | Ohio State | 44-28 | Fiesta Bowl (Zeke's 4 TDs) |
| 2006 | Ohio State | 34-20 | Fiesta Bowl (Troy Smith era) |
The 2023 game in South Bend was arguably more painful than the championship loss. That 17-14 finish, decided by a Chip Trayanum plunge with one second left, was the game where Notre Dame famously had only 10 men on the field for the final two plays. Ryan Day’s post-game rant about Lou Holtz and "toughness" became an instant meme, but it underscored the massive chip on Ohio State's shoulder.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2025 Matchup
The biggest misconception? That Will Howard "won" the game.
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Look, Howard was great. He was efficient. But he wasn't the reason the Irish lost. The Irish lost because they stuck to their guns—specifically, their man-to-man coverage scheme. Cornerback Leonard Moore said before the game they weren't going to change who they were. They played man. Ryan Day saw it, smiled, and told Howard to keep throwing it at Jeremiah Smith.
"If they play one on one on the outside, we are gonna take our shot," Day said after the game. It was a tactical error by Freeman that basically handed the Buckeyes the 11-point cushion in the final minutes.
The Defensive Masterclass
Everyone talks about the 34 points, but the Buckeyes' defense under Jim Knowles was the real MVP. Caleb Downs, the Alabama transfer, was everywhere. He blew up a crucial sweep play that forced the Irish to settle for a field goal when they needed seven. It’s those small details—the inches—that separate a 34-23 win from a 27-24 loss.
The Recruiting Fallout: Mylan Graham and the Transfer Portal
Kinda crazy how things come full circle, right? Just a year after that championship game, we’re seeing the rosters shift. Mylan Graham, a five-star receiver who was on that 2025 Ohio State championship roster, just announced he’s transferring to Notre Dame for the 2026 season.
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It’s a massive get for Freeman. Graham was stuck behind a logjam of talent in Columbus (Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, Emeka Egbuka). Now, he heads to South Bend to try and be the guy who finally changes the Ohio State Notre Dame score trend in the future. It’s a reminder that in the NIL era, the score on the field is only the beginning of the story.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you're betting on or analyzing a future Ohio State vs Notre Dame game, stop looking at "prestige" and start looking at these three specific metrics:
- Red Zone Completion Percentage: In almost every recent meeting, the team that scores TDs instead of FGs wins by 10+.
- The "12th Man" Factor: Not the fans, but the coaching. Marcus Freeman has struggled with late-game personnel management against Ryan Day. Watch the substitution patterns in the fourth quarter.
- Freshman Impact: Ohio State isn't afraid to play true freshmen in the biggest moments (Jeremiah Smith being the prime example). If Notre Dame doesn't start trusting their young blue-chip talent earlier, they'll continue to get out-athleted in the second half.
The reality is that the Ohio State Notre Dame score represents more than just a win or a loss; it’s a benchmark for the "toughness" of both programs. For now, the Buckeyes have the hardware and the bragging rights. The Irish have the "tantalizing potential" of their transfers and a burning desire to stop the bleeding.
To truly understand this rivalry, you have to look past the final digits. Look at the goal-line stands, the "eye candy" plays in the fourth quarter, and the fact that one program is currently a factory for NFL first-rounders while the other is still searching for that elusive 12th man on the field.