Ohio State Buckeyes stars Will Howard and Jack Sawyer paid homage to God Monday night following their College Football National Championship victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Howard and Sawyer each made key plays throughout the College Football Playoff to lead Ohio State to victory. Against Notre Dame, Howard threw two touchdown passes and made a game-winning throw on third down to Jeremiah Smith late in the 34-23 victory. Sawyer had three tackles in the game. He had a scoop-and-score in the semifinals 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/Dill Butch)
The Kansas State transfer had faith on his mind as confetti rained down on the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
“First and foremost, I must give glory 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 bet on me in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. I’m at a loss for words right now.”
Howard praised God again as he received 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 happy that God given a chance to be a Buckeye.”
Sawyer seemed stunned while talking about how he and his teammates came back to school to win the national championship.
NOTRE DAME’S RILEY LEONARD POINTS A FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE AFTER SCORING THE OPENING TD IN THE 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 Football Playoff semifinal game Bowl College vs. Texas on Friday, January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortés)
“It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had in my life. It’s exactly what we envisioned when we all decided to come back – to go out and do things this way and end on this note,” he said. he declared.
“We just thank God for giving us the opportunity to go out and do it, through the ups and downs. He was with us by our side and we knew it. We overcame adversity and, man, it is so good.”
Cody Simon was named defensive MVP of the game. He also put faith first.
“The Lord has done something special in this team and we are very grateful,” Simon said. “Everybody on this team, we’ve all bought in. I love all the guys here – I’ve been working all this year.”
The faith of both teams was on full display heading into the championship.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard suggested before the game that it was the players’ belief in God that guided them to the national title game.
“I definitely think things happen for a reason. Not just us, but Ohio State. I think we’re the two main teams that display our faith the most publicly,” he said via Sports Michiana . “I don’t know if it was 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 on Monday January 20, 2025 in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Dill Butch)
“I truly believe Jesus looked over our shoulders throughout the season and put these two teams on a pedestal for good reason.”
