Ohio State's Howard, Simon named CFP title game MVPs

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard and linebacker Cody Simon were named the offensive and defensive MVPs after the Buckeyes won the College Football Playoff National Championship 34-23 over Notre Dame on Monday.

Howard set a CFP title-game record by completing his first 13 passes of the contest. The senior finished the evening completing 17 of 21 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 57 rushing yards.

Despite Notre Dame building momentum after cutting the deficit to 31-23 with 4:15 remaining, Howard sealed the win by connecting with receiver Jeremiah Smith for a 56-yard yard gain to put Ohio State deep into Notre Dame territory. The drive led to a field goal and took 3:49 off the clock.

Howard finished the Buckeyes' CFP championship run by throwing eight touchdowns compared to two interceptions over four games, steering the program to its first national title since 2014.

Simon led Ohio State with eight tackles in Monday's contest, including a tackle for loss.

The New Jersey native posted two sacks over the postseason run and tallied double-digit tackles in the Buckeyes' playoff victories over Tennessee and Oregon.

The title is Ohio State's sixth national championship and the first handed out in the expanded 12-team CFP.