COLUMBUS (WCMH) — Ohio State is playing for its first championship since the 2014 season Monday night against Alabama. Follow along in our live blog for updates from Sports Director Jerod Smalley and the entire NBC4 sports team.
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Find our recap of the Ohio State-Alabama game here.
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It’s late in the third quarter
Garrett Wilson #5 of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates his 20 yard touchdown during the third quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Ohio State is on the move in the third quarter. It takes three plays to reach the end zone on a Garrett Wilson 20-yard catch from Justin Fields.
Alabama drove 75 yards to open the third quarter, with Will Reichard making a 20-yard field goal to put the Tide ahead 38-17 with 7:47 to go.
Here is our first-half recap
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Davis hurt 54 seconds before halftime.
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Jordan Battle #9 of the Alabama Crimson Tide called for targeting on a hit to Jeremy Ruckert #88 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the second quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
And Alabama finds the end zone again, on a 5-yard catch by DeVonta Smith for a 28-17 lead with 3:17 to go before halftime
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Najee Harris finds the end zone again, on a 26-yard pass from Mac Jones, and Alabama is back ahead of Ohio State 21-14 in the second quarter
After intercepting Mac Jones, Master Teague ties the score at 14 on a 4-yard run
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Ohio State running back Trey Sermon left the game early. Now he’s headed to a hospital. Details here
Justin Hilliard #47 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts to a tackle during the first quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
DeVonta Smith puts Alabama back ahead with a 5-yard TD catch from Mac Jones
Master Teague scores for Ohio State on an 8-yard run. Credit to tight end Jeremy Ruckert, who made a one-handed catch for a 36-yard gain to set it up on the previous play.
Najee Harris #22 of the Alabama Crimson Tide rushes for a one yard touchdown during the first quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
A 12-play, 78-yard drive, and Alabama is the first to score
Bad news early for the Buckeyes
The view from inside Hard Rock Stadium
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 11: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes and head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide are seen prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Fans watch before an NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game between Alabama and Ohio State, Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 11: Ohio State Buckeyes helmets are seen prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 11: Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes warms up prior to the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)