The Notre Dame battles Irish will have to dig deep to beat the Ohio State Buckeyes and win their first national championship since 1988.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard is determined to do that.
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Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Ohio State during the first half of the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Leonard led the Fighting Irish on an 18-play, 75-yard drive that consumed the first 9:45 of the game. It ended with a Leonard rushing touchdown from 1 yard out.
After Leonard scored, he pointed to his armband, which read “Matthew 23:12”, a Bible verse that says, “He who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Leonard previously said that Matthew 23:12 was one of his favorite quotes in the Bible.
NOTRE DAME, OHIO STATE MEETING AT COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WITH FAITH IN THE FOREGOING
Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates with tight end Kevin Bauman after scoring a touchdown against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half. (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn images)
“I feel like so many people want to put me on this pedestal and my faith really brings me back to that every time,” he said earlier this season via Sports spectrum. “So, through the ups and downs, I can offer you perspective.
“I’ve seen what it’s like to be praised and be at the top of the top. People have put me on draft boards… and I’ve been at the lowest lows where I get injured and I don’t know what to do doing.” What I’m going to do with my career. But my faith has always brought me back to that humble position. Like: you are nobody. It doesn’t matter if you’re at the highest or lowest point, God is going to treat you the same.”
Notre Dame went 2-for-2 on fourth down during the drive.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard passes during the first half against Ohio State. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
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The Fighting Irish led the game 7-0 early.
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