ATLANTA - As Ohio State kicker Noah Ruggles covered as much as strive the sport-
triumphing 50-backyard area purpose, middle of the night approached at the East
Coast. As tens of thousands and thousands waited for the ball to drop and a brand new
12 months to kick in, a rollicking day of university soccer hurtled towards a crescend
Georgia led Ohio State via way of means of one point, 42-41, and Kirby Smart referred
to as a day trip to try to ice Gurgles. A din of fear, loathing and anticipation crammed
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the ideal emotional cocktail for a semifinal day the game had
waited almost a decade to spread in one of these manner. College Football Playoff govt
director Bill Hancock stood unassumingly close to the purpose line wherein Ohio State
become trying to kick. He declared victory earlier than a victor have been decided
What a outstanding day for university soccer," he beamed. The first twine-to-twine
riveting semifinal day the game had visible got here proper because the modern
machine is at the cusp of ending. It's the second-to-final 12 months of the modern four-
crew format, as too many blowouts withinside the earlier 8 seasons had led, in part, to
the game increasing to a 12-crew playoff beginning withinside the 2024 season.