ATLANTA, Ga. (WSAV) — The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 34-23 in the championship of the first ever 12-team College Football Playoff. The victory is the Buckeye's ninth national championship, but their first since 2014. It also marked the first national title under sixth-year head coach Ryan Day. Notre Dame got the ball first and came out aggressive. The Fighting Irish successfully converted on fourth down twice and got on the board first with a one-yard run from quarterback Riley Leonard to take a 7-0 lead after the extra point. Ohio State responded fast after touching the ball for the first time. The Buckeyes scored on an 11-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a Jeremiah Smith eight-yard receiving touchdown. The Buckeyes scored two more unanswered touchdowns to finish the half and went into the locker room with a 21-7 lead. Ohio State had some lapses in the second half, but ultimately held strong and hoisted the first 12-team championship trophy after securing a 34-23 win.