Riley Leonard’s health update drew attention after he was seen vomiting on the sideline following Notre Dame’s opening drive in the national championship. The star quarterback’s resilience quickly became a pivotal storyline in their clash against Ohio State.
Here’s what unfolded, Riley Leonard’s health update, how he responded, and the impact on Notre Dame’s performance.
What happened to Riley Leonard during Notre Dame vs. Ohio State match?
Riley Leonard, Notre Dame’s quarterback, made an impactful start to the College Football National Championship against Ohio State.
On the opening drive, Leonard carried the offense with nine rushes and three completed passes, culminating in a one-yard rushing touchdown. However, as he returned to the sidelines after the drive, ESPN reported Leonard was seen vomiting, raising concerns about his condition (via South Bend Tribune).
The incident occurred following an 18-play, 75-yard drive that took nearly 10 minutes off the clock. Despite this unsettling moment, Leonard returned to the game for Notre Dame’s second drive and continued to lead the offense. He showed resilience and composure, finishing the game with 238 passing yards, two touchdown passes, and another rushing touchdown. His performance kept Notre Dame competitive against Ohio State’s strong defense.
Ohio State responded quickly to Leonard’s opening touchdown, tying the game on their first possession. Notre Dame struggled to maintain momentum in the second quarter, allowing three unanswered touchdowns, and went into halftime trailing 21-7. Despite Leonard’s efforts in the second half, including a valiant rally, Notre Dame ultimately fell short, losing 34-23.
The turning point of the game came in the fourth quarter when head coach Marcus Freeman opted for a field goal on 4th-and-9 instead of attempting a touchdown. While this decision temporarily kept Notre Dame in the game, it was not enough to overcome the deficit. Ohio State’s defense stifled Notre Dame’s ground game, limiting key rushing plays.
