The 2006 College Football Playoff National Championship game, played on January 8, 2007, was a clash between two powerhouse programs—Ohio State and Notre Dame. While this specific game is often remembered for Ohio State’s dominant victory, 42-14, there were several players from both teams whose performances and contributions shaped the outcome of the game. Let’s take a look at the top ten players who had the most significant impact on this iconic national title clash.
1. Troy Smith (Quarterback, Ohio State)
Troy Smith, Ohio State’s Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, was undoubtedly the most impactful player in this matchup. His poise, accuracy, and ability to make plays with both his arm and legs were the driving forces behind the Buckeyes’ offense. Smith threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns, leading Ohio State to an early lead that Notre Dame could never recover from.
Smith’s ability to remain calm in the pocket and pick apart the Notre Dame defense was critical in setting the tone for the game. His 10-yard touchdown run in the first quarter gave Ohio State an early lead, and his second touchdown pass to Ted Ginn Jr. put the game out of reach for Notre Dame.
2. Ted Ginn Jr. (Wide Receiver, Ohio State)
Ted Ginn Jr. was a playmaker for Ohio State, and his speed and agility were on full display in the national championship game. Ginn caught 6 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown, but perhaps his most memorable moment came early in the game. Ginn returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, giving Ohio State an immediate 7-0 lead and setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Ginn’s explosiveness made him a constant threat throughout the contest, and Notre Dame’s defense struggled to keep him in check. His combination of speed, route-running, and ability to make defenders miss was a major headache for the Irish defense.
3. Antonio Pittman (Running Back, Ohio State)
Antonio Pittman was a steady and reliable force in Ohio State’s backfield, providing balance to the offense. Although his rushing yards (60 yards on 14 carries) were not spectacular, Pittman played an important role in keeping the chains moving and controlling the tempo of the game. His ability to run the football effectively helped to open up the passing game for Troy Smith.
Pittman’s performance also allowed Ohio State to chew up clock in the second half and keep Notre Dame’s high-powered offense off the field, which played a significant role in the eventual outcome of the game.
4. Anthony Gonzalez (Wide Receiver, Ohio State)
Anthony Gonzalez was another key contributor to Ohio State’s offense in the national championship game. He caught 4 passes for 68 yards, including a crucial 8-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter that essentially sealed the win for the Buckeyes.
Gonzalez’s sure hands and ability to make plays in critical situations gave Ohio State a reliable target in the passing game. His performances throughout the season and in this game helped make the Ohio State passing attack nearly unstoppable.
5. Laurence Maroney (Running Back, Notre Dame)
Laurence Maroney was Notre Dame’s most dynamic offensive player in the national championship game, but even he couldn’t carry the team to victory on his own. Maroney rushed for 67 yards on 14 carries and scored Notre Dame’s only rushing touchdown of the game. While his production wasn’t enough to overcome Ohio State’s explosive offense, Maroney did his best to provide some spark to a Notre Dame offense that struggled for much of the game.
Maroney’s physicality and ability to break tackles were evident, but Ohio State’s defense was able to limit his effectiveness, particularly in the second half when the Buckeyes had built a commanding lead.
6. Darius Walker (Running Back, Notre Dame)
Darius Walker, another key part of the Notre Dame backfield, also had a significant impact on the game. While he didn’t have the same level of success as Maroney, Walker contributed 39 yards on 12 carries. More importantly, he was a weapon out of the backfield as a receiver, adding 4 catches for 32 yards.
Despite his best efforts, Walker was unable to make a significant impact against the swarming Ohio State defense. However, his versatility and contributions as both a runner and a receiver kept the Irish offense balanced for a portion of the game.
7. Zibby (Tom Zbikowski) (Safety, Notre Dame)
Tom Zbikowski, also known as “Zibby,” was one of the standout defensive players for Notre Dame in the national championship game. He played with great energy and physicality, trying to set the tone for the Irish defense. Zbikowski was a sure tackler and a key leader in the secondary.
While Ohio State’s offense found success through the air, Zbikowski was instrumental in keeping some of the big plays in check. He finished the game with 5 tackles and a pass deflection, but he was often on the field trying to make up for the lack of support from his teammates.
8. Laron Landry (Safety, Ohio State)
LaRon Landry was the leader of Ohio State’s secondary and played an important role in limiting Notre Dame’s passing attack. Landry’s ability to cover ground quickly, combined with his physicality, allowed him to disrupt Notre Dame’s passing game throughout the game.
Landry’s contributions helped Ohio State prevent Notre Dame from making any major scoring plays, especially in the second half when the Buckeyes were able to focus on stopping the Irish’s desperate attempts to catch up.
9. Chris “Beanie” Wells (Running Back, Ohio State)
While Beanie Wells wasn’t the primary back for Ohio State during the 2006 season, he still provided valuable depth for the Buckeyes in the national championship game. Wells had several important carries during the contest, including a 3-yard touchdown run that helped extend Ohio State’s lead.
Wells’ physical running style allowed Ohio State to maintain offensive balance, especially late in the game when they needed to run out the clock and finish off Notre Dame. Wells’ hard-nosed running gave the Buckeyes a physical edge on the ground.
10. Victor Abiamiri (Defensive End, Notre Dame)
Victor Abiamiri was a standout defensive player for Notre Dame in the national championship game. He was one of the few Irish defenders who was able to consistently pressure Ohio State’s offensive line. Abiamiri had 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss in the game, and his effort was one of the few bright spots for Notre Dame’s defense.
Despite his individual success, Abiamiri was unable to generate enough pressure to disrupt Troy Smith and the Ohio State offense, which was able to find success in both the passing and running game. However, Abiamiri’s performance still showcased his talent as one of the best defensive players on the field.
