Notre Dame's ensuing field goal attempt was unsuccessful, though they forced a punt and Greathouse caught another touchdown pass which, along with a successful two-point conversion, narrowed Ohio State's lead to eight.

On January 7, 2022, the College Football Playoff (CFP) awarded the rights to host the 2025 championship to Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada.

However, Allegiant Stadium had to relinquish hosting duties due to a conflict with the Consumer Electronics Show, which was not able to be moved to a later date.

[6] The 71,000-seat retractable roof stadium, built to replace the Georgia Dome in 2017,[7] is also the annual host of the Aflac Kickoff Game, SEC Championship Game, the Peach Bowl,[8] the Celebration Bowl, the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL), and Atlanta United FC of Major League Soccer (MLS).

[31] Sixth-year head coach Ryan Day entered with a 69–10 record with the Buckeyes; this marked his second championship game appearance.

[17] Notre Dame finished the regular season with an 11–1 record, with their only loss being a major upset against Northern Illinois on September 7.

ESPN2 carried Field Pass with The Pat McAfee Show, ESPNU aired the Command Center broadcast, and ESPNews had the SkyCast feed.

The ESPN2 broadcast featured Pat McAfee, A. J. Hawk, Darius Butler, Connor Campbell, Ty Schmit and Tone Digs.

The cermonial pregame coin toss—to which Bernice King was invited, though the toss itself was performed by Marlowe[41]—was won by Ohio State, who deferred their choice to the second half, thereby giving Notre Dame possession of the ball to begin the game.

[42] Ohio State kicker Jayden Fielding began the game with a touchback on the opening kickoff, giving Notre Dame possession of the ball at their own 25-yard line.

Ohio State similarly began their first offensive series on their own 25-yard line and reached Notre Dame territory in six plays following a 19-yard TreVeyon Henderson rush and a 15-yard pass from Will Howard to Quinshon Judkins.

The next Fighting Irish drive was set back by false start and holding penalties on consecutive plays, ultimately leading to a punt on 4th & 15.

Ohio State resumed possession at their own 24-yard line and completed three plays which gained at least ten yards to reach the red zone with 8:20 remaining in the half.

After several more plays, Judkins rushed for a 1-yard touchdown, capping a 5-play drive to begin the half and increasing Ohio State's lead to 28–7 following Fielding's successful extra point.

[43] Notre Dame appeared to have been held to a three-and-out on their first drive of the second half but ran a fake punt on 4th & 2 which was unsuccessful.

The Fighting Irish faced 3rd & 19 on the sixth play of their ensuing drive, but a pass interference penalty gave them a first down that extended the possession.

[43] Notre Dame retook possession on the first play of the fourth quarter when a fumble by Egbuka was forced by Drayk Bowen and recovered by Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa at the Irish 21-yard line.

A holding penalty on Ohio State moved the Irish to the 8-yard line but the drive ended with an unsuccessful 27-yard field goal attempt which deflected off of the left upright.

Ohio State took the ball at the 20-yard line as a result but stalled after one first down and punted back to Notre Dame with 6:25 remaining in the game.