College football has crowned its new champion, with Ohio State defeating Notre Dame 34-23 during the national championship game. True to the faith that has characterized the team this whole season, Ohio State players praised God for the team’s big win. Ohio State quarterback, Will Howard, who completed 17 of 21 for 231 yards and threw in two touchdowns, gave thanks to God. “First and foremost, I got to give the glory and the praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I wouldn’t be here without him. I wouldn’t be here without my teammates, without my family, without everyone that bet on me back in Downingtown, Pennsylvania; I’m at a loss for words right now,” he said. It is the first national title win for the team since 2014. Howard was awarded the Offensive MVP award, where he praised God again. He also acknowledged that he was “so glad God gave me a chance to be a Buckeye.” Howard had played for Kansas State before transferring to Ohio for his final eligible season.

Howard wasn’t the only one to praise God. “The Lord did something special on this team and we’re just so thankful. Everyone on this team, we all bought in. I love every guy out here – put the work in this whole year,” said Ohio State’s Cody Simon, who earned Defensive MVP. “We just thank God for giving us the ability to go out and here and do it, through the ups and the downs. He was with us on our side, and we knew that. Overcame the adversity and, man, this just feels so good,” said defensive player Jack Sawyer. One particular moment of adversity came from Ohio’s devastating loss against archrival, Michigan. The loss brought coach Ryan Day’s record to 1-4 against Michigan and caused many Ohio faithful to wonder if Day and his team would have what it would take for a national title. “There was a point where there was a lot of people that counted us out, and we just kept swinging and kept fighting. It’s the reason you get into coaching, to see guys overcome things, learn life lessons, and then reach their dreams. This is what happened tonight,” Day said of the team’s big win.

Despite the devastating loss, even players from Notre Dame continued to praise God. Notre Dame’s quarterback, Riley Leonard, stated he wanted “to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me the opportunity to play in this game.” Leonard credited the faith of both teams. “Throughout the week, us and Ohio State were the two teams who praised Jesus Christ the most, and I think that we strengthen each other in our faiths through coming to this game and competing against each other. I am happy to see godly men come out on top no matter what the circumstances. I’m very happy to praise Jesus in the lowest of lows as well.”