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Friday, January 24, 2025B Sectionindianapolisrecorder.comBy NORAL PARHAM IIInoralp@indyrecorder.comThe Ohio State Buckeyes captured the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship with a 34-23 win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 20 in Atlanta.The victory marked the Buckeyes%u2019 first title since 2014 and their third 14-win season in university history.Led by quarterback Will Howard, the Buckeyes overcame an early deficit with a barrage of offensive efficiency and staunch defense. Howard, the offensive player of the game displayed his dual-threat ability, throwing for 231 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 57 yards. Howard accounted for 18 of the Buckeyes%u2019 21 first downs.Notre Dame struck first with quarterback Riley Leonard%u2019s oneyard touchdown run, capping an 18-play, 75-yard drive that drained nearly 10 minutes off the clock.Ohio State football head coach Ryan Day was not surprised by the Fighting Irish%u2019s strong start. %u201cWe knew they%u2019d come out strong, but we trusted our preparation,%u201d Day said. %u201cIt was about staying composed and executing our game plan.%u201dThe Fighting Irish offense faltered on its subsequent two possessions due to penalties and a muffed snap, allowing Ohio State to capitalize.The Buckeyes roared back with a 21-point second quarter. Howard connected with wide receiver Jeremiah Smith for an eight-yard touchdown to tie the game before running back Quinshon Judkins powered in a nine-yard rushing score.Judkins, who finished with 100 rushing yards on 11 carries, added another touchdown reception just before halftime, giving Ohio State a 21-7 lead.The Irish, led by Leonard, clawed back into the game in the second half. Leonard threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns to wide receiver Jaden Greathouse, who posted a career-high 128 receiving yards. Greathouse%u2019s 34-yard score late in the third quarter and a 30-yard grab in the fourth trimmed the deficit to 31-23.After the CFP National Championship, Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman tipped his cap to his players.%u201cRiley [Leonard] and Jaden [Greatehouse] have developed an incredible connection,%u201d Freeman said. %u201cJaden%u2019s growth has been phenomenal, but we just couldn%u2019t overcome some self-inflicted mistakes tonight.%u201dNotre Dame%u2019s struggles on third down and their inability to stop the Buckeyes on key downs proved costly. The Buckeyes converted 9-of-12 third downs, including a crucial third-and-long late in the championship contest. Howard%u2019s deep strike to Smith iced the game, leaving the Irish defense gasping for answers.%u201cThat was a championship play,%u201d Freeman admitted. %u201cIn those moments, you have to find a way, and we didn%u2019t.%u201dA Balanced Buckeye AttackOhio State%u2019s balanced offense churned out 445 yards, including 214 on the ground. While Judkins stole the spotlight in the rushing department, Emeka Egbuka added six receptions for 64 yards, complementing Smith%u2019s five-catch, 88-yard performance.Defensively, the Buckeyes smothered Leonard%u2019s running ability after the opening drive, holding Notre Dame to 53 rushing yards. Linebacker Cody Simon anchored the defense with eight tackles and a tackle for loss, earning CFP National Championship Defensive Player of the Game honors.%u201cOur defense stepped up in a big way,%u201d Day said. %u201cTo hold a dynamic offense like [Notre Dame] to 23 points speaks volumes about their effort and preparation.%u201dBoth teams finish the season at 14-2, with Ohio State extending the Big Ten%u2019s dominance in the CFP. Notre Dame, making its first championship appearance since 2013, fell short despite a historic campaign that included 14 wins for the first time in university history.The Buckeyes return to Columbus, Ohio as national champions, cementing their place among college football%u2019s elite.%u201cThis group was counted out early, but they never stopped believing,%u201d Day said. %u201cTo see them come together and achieve this goal is why we do what we do.%u201dMeanwhile, the Irish will look to build on their successes as they chase their first title since 1988.Contact Multi-Media & Senior Sports Reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on TikTok @3Noral.IndyCar betting Fox Sports can generate interest away from 16th and Georgetown RoadBy Danny Bridges%u00a0There%u2019s truly never been a need to promote the Indianapolis 500 as it remains the greatest race in the world, located conveniently right here in our local community.It will always be the crown jewel of the NTT IndyCar Series schedule and remains the gold standard.However, away from the Cathedral of Motorsports, better known as the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it%u2019s a different story and is quite the%u00a0challenge in terms of vying for motorsports dollars from racing fans who have numerous options.%u00a0Be it small ovals, street courses or traditional road courses, IndyCar showcases a variety of disciplines to choose from, and with the 2025 season opener upon us in sunny St. Petersburg on March 3, there are several reasons for optimism as they head to the green flag with a new network television partner.With Fox Sports outbidding NBC Sports for the television rights to the NTT IndyCar Series, many feel their guarantee to air every race this year on its national network platform would be just what is needed to propel ratings and raise the profile of the series as well.After all, they%u2019ve been part of the NFL TV boom for decades and helped place the successful NASCAR brand both on to Wall Street and Main Street simultaneously.That said, such a partnership with Penske Entertainment would on the surface appear to be a slam dunk, but with a number of other options on your television, life away from the aforementioned Indy 500 is not an easy road, and in reality it will take everything Fox Sports has to make races on Sunday afternoons in Alabama, Oregon, Tennessee and Ohio become even more appealing to viewers than they have been historically.Motorsports is definitely feeling the pinch that accompanies how Americans now receive their entertainment content, and while marquee events such as the Daytona 500 and the Indy 500 will continue to be solid investments for the Fox portfolio, life away from those races certainly can be tough at times as demonstrated in recent years. Despite the enormous capital that Roger Penske has allocated to the NTT Buckeyes secure 2025 Natty, defeats Notre Dame 34-23See BETTING, B5%u00a8Ben Davis forward Tavion Williams (30) dunks the ball during the contest against North Central.The North Central High School Panthers defeated the Ben Davis High School Giants on January 18, 2025 to win the Marion County Basketball Championship in Southport, Indiana.Ben Davis head coach Don Carlisle during the Marion County basketball tournament game against North Central High School on January 18, 2025 in Southport, Indiana. (Photos/David Dixon)North Central head coach Kevin Gant during the game against Ben Davis High School for the Marion County championship on January 18, 2025 in Southport, Indiana.North Central guard Papi Rivera (13) shoots a three-pointer during the Marion County Basketball Championship game on January 18, 2025 in Soutport, Indiana.North Central defeats Ben Davis in Marion County Championship GameOhio State running back Quinshon Judkins (1) runs with the ball during the CFP National Championship between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (AP Photo/John Mersits)