Ohio State Buckeyes Stars Will Howard and Jack Sawyer praised God Monday night after their College Football Playoff National Championship win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Both Howard and Sawyer played key roles in 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 winning 34-23. Sawyer made 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, No. 18, passes against Notre Dame during the second half of the college football national championship game on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dale)
The Kansas State transfer was confident in 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, Pa. I'm at a loss for words right now.”
Howard thanked God again when he was awarded the Offensive Player of the Year 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 amazed when he talked about how he and his teammates returned to school to win the national championship.
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, No. 18, and defensive end Jack Sawyer, No. 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. This is exactly what we envisioned when we all decided to come back – to go out and do it this way and end on this note,” he said.
“We thank God for giving us the ability to get out there and do it, through the ups and the downs. He had us by our side and we knew it. We overcame adversity, and man, that feels so good.”
Cody Simon was named Defensive Player of the Game. He also put faith first.
“The Lord has done something special on this team and we are so grateful,” Simon said. “Everyone on this team, we've all bought into it. Love everyone here – do your best all year long.”
The belief of both teams was abundantly clear entering the tournament.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard Suggested before the game It was the players' faith in God that led them to the national title game.
“I truly believe things happen for a reason. It's not just us, it's Ohio State as well. I think we're the two main teams that publicly show our faith the most,” he said via. Michiana Sports. “I don't know if it's some divine teaching, you know, who put us here.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, No. 13, runs under pressure from Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon, No. 0, during the second half of the college football national championship game Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dale)
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“I truly believe that Jesus has been watching us throughout the entire season and has put these two teams on a pedestal for a reason.”
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