Ohio State Buckeyes stars Will Howard and Jake Sawyer praised God after their College Football National Championship win over the Notre Dame Irish on Monday night.
Howard and Sawyer both played key roles in helping Ohio State to victory in the College Football Playoff. Against Notre Dame, Howard threw two touchdown passes and hit Jeremiah Smith on third down to help the team win 34-23. Sawyer finished with three tackles in the game. He had a scoring tackle in the semifinals against Texas State.
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Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (No. 18) passes to Notre Dame during the second half of the College Football Playoff national championship game on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
As confetti fell on the court at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Kansas State transfer was filled with confidence.
"First and foremost, I have to give glory and praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Without Him, I wouldn't be here," Howard said. "I wouldn't be here without my teammates, without my family, without all the people in Downingtown, Pa., who have bet on me and I have nothing to say right now."
Howard once again praised God and won the Offensive MVP Award.
"Before I say anything, I have to give all the glory, all the praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen," he said, adding that he was "so happy that God gave me the gift of being a Buckeye opportunity.”
Sawyer looked stunned when talking about how he and his teammates came back to school to win a national championship.
Notre Dame's Riley Leonard points to favorite Bible verse after scoring opening touchdown in national championship game
Ohio State quarterback Will Howard (No. 18) and defensive end Jack Sawyer (No. 33) celebrates with University President Ted Carter (center). 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 decided to come back - to go out and do this and finish with this," he said.
"We just thank God for the ability to go out there and be here and go through the ups and downs. He's with us and we know that. Overcoming adversity, man, it feels good."
Cody Simon was named the game's Defensive MVP. He also puts faith first.
“The Lord has done something special for this team and we are so grateful,” Simon said. "Everyone on this team, we all agree. I love everyone here - putting in the work this whole year."
The confidence of both teams was on full display heading into the tournament.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard said before the game that it was the players' faith in God that guided them to the national championship game.
"I do think things happen for a reason. Not just us, but Ohio State. I think we're the two major teams that have been the most vocal about what we believe in," he said, via Sports Michigan. “I don’t know if this is some kind of divine teaching, you know, who put us here.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) passes over Ohio State linebacker Cody Simon (0 No.) passing the ball under pressure. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
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"I really believe Jesus has been taking care of us all season and putting these two teams on the pedestal for a reason."
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