Ohio State Buckeyes stars Will Howard and Jack Sawyer praised God Monday night after their national football championship game win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Howard and Sawyer each made key plays throughout the College Football Playoffs to lift Ohio State to victory. Against Notre Dame, Howard threw two touchdown passes and made a clutch throw on third down to Jeremiah Smith late in the 34-23 win. Sawyer had three tackles in the game. He had a scoop-and-score in the semifinal against Texas.
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Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, #18, passes against Notre Dame during the second half of the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
The Kansas State transfer had faith in his mind as confetti rained down on the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
“First and foremost, I have to give the honor and praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I wouldn’t be here without him,” Howard said. “I wouldn’t be here without my teammates, without my family, without everyone who invested in me back in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, I’m at a loss for words right now.”
Howard praised God again as he accepted the Offensive MVP Award.
“Before I say anything, I have to give my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ all the glory, all the praise. Amen,” he said, adding that he was “so glad God gave me a chance to be a Buckeye.”
Sawyer seemed stunned as he talked about how he and his teammates came back to school to win the national championship.
NOTRE DAME’S RILEY LEONARD POINTS TO FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE AFTER SCORING OPENING TD IN NATIONAL TITLE GAME
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, #18, and defensive end Jack Sawyer, #33, celebrate with university president Ted Carter, center, after the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against Texas on Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
“This is the best feeling I’ve ever felt in my life. It’s exactly what we envisioned when we all decided to come back – to go out and do it this way and end on this note,” said he.
“We just thank God for giving us the ability to go out here and do it, through the ups and downs. He was with us on our side and we knew that. Overcame the adversity and man, this just feels so good.”
Cody Simon was named the game’s defensive MVP. He also put faith first.
“The Lord did something special on this team and we are just so thankful,” Simon said. “Everybody on this team, we all bought in. I love all the guys out here — put in the work this whole year.”
The faith of both teams was on full display as they entered the championship.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard suggested before the game that it was the players’ faith in God that guided them to the national title game.
“I really think things happen for a reason. Not just us, but also Ohio State. I think we’re the two main teams that just publicly show our faith the most,” he said, via Sports Michiana. “I don’t know if this is some divine teaching, you know, that put us here.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, #13, passes under pressure from Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon, #0, during the second half of the College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
“I really think Jesus was looking over both of our shoulders throughout the season and put these two teams on a pedestal for a reason.”
