COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — If Notre Dame’s strategy was to keep Ohio State’s high-powered offense off the field as much as possible, it worked fine, up until the Irish’s quarterback vomited.

An opening nine-minute drive gave the Fighting Irish an early lead Monday night in the national championship game in Atlanta, capped by Riley Leonard scoring on a keeper. But apparently worn out after the series, Leonard staggered to the sideline and threw up.

The Buckeyes took control after that, and largely, their offense kept control the rest of the half, building a 21-7 lead. The story of the game early was how Ohio State’s offense took control.

Look: Ohio State offense in the first half

  • ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 20: Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball as Xavier Watts #0 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish defends during the second quarter in the 2025 CFP National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
  • ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 20: Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball during the second quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2025 CFP National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
  • ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 20: Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes huddles with the team during the second quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the 2025 CFP National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
  • ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 20: Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball as Jordan Clark #1 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish tackles him during the second quarter in the 2025 CFP National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
  • ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 20: Xavier Watts #0 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish breaks up a pass intended for TreVeyon Henderson #32 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second quarter in the 2025 CFP National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
  • ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 20: Will Howard #18 and Quinshon Judkins #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate a touchdown from Judkins during the second quarter in the 2025 CFP National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
  • ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 20: Jeremiah Smith #4 celebrates after scoring touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish with Will Howard #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second quarter in the 2025 CFP National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
  • ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 20: Jeremiah Smith #4 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second quarter in the 2025 CFP National Championship at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 20, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Howard completed his first 13 pass attempts and led Ohio State to three scoring drives. He threw two touchdown passes, and Quinshon Judkins scored twice, once on a reception and once on a run.

The Buckeyes were regularly able to break one of their receivers free in the passing game. And the running game ground its way to 87 yards, including 37 by TreVeyon Henderson.

Emeka Egbuka had four first-half catches, in the process going past 202 in his career and becoming the Ohio State leader. The record had been held by KJ Hill, a Buckeye from 2016 to ’19.

And Jeremiah Smith had a big comeback after being limited to one catch in a playoff semifinal against Texas.

A broken coverage opened the door for a Smith touchdown in the second quarter. Notre Dame cornerback Christian Gray leapt and pointed out that Smith was about to be left unguarded on a second-and-5 from the Irish 8-yard line.

After the snap, Smith dropped back, and Gray followed the initial action toward the middle of the field. Smith moved forward again and took a short pass from Howard, with no one left between him and the end zone.

In a playoff semifinal against Texas, Smith had been limited to just one catch while facing zone coverage most of the game, although the Buckeyes still rolled 28-14.

In the end, after that nine-minute opening drive, Ohio State ended up controlling time of possession for the first half, 16:37-13:23.