Ohio State scored the final 21 points of the first half to take a two-touchdown lead over Notre Dame in the national championship game on Monday night.

With the momentum swinging the Buckeyes way, Ohio State alum and Pat McAfee Show co-host AJ Hawk revealed the keys he believes will help his alma mater to secure its first national championship win in a decade.

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“We know this Ohio State team has momentum,” Hawk said as the two teams headed to their halftime locker rooms. “But Notre Dame, what do they do on defense? They take the ball away. Ohio State needs to protect the ball, continue to have these long, drawn-out drives and keep trying to control the game deep.”

Ohio State controlled the tempo of the game down the stretch, out-gaining the Irish 17-13 in time of possession. That comes after Notre Dame’s opening 18-play drive took up the first 9:45 of the first quarter. ND did not gain a first down after its opening drive and left the first half totaling 93 yards during the game’s first 30 minutes compared to Ohio State’s 244.

Buckeyes QB Will Howard also played a near-perfect half, completing 14 of 15 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns during the first half. Howard completed a pass to six different Buckeyes during the first two quarters, and none of his receivers finished the first half with more than 35 yards, and also has 26 yards rushing to his credit as well.

The Buckeyes ended up scoring on all three of their possessions in the first half, all of which were methodically strung together across 11, 10 and 12-play drives, respectively.

Ohio State will receive the opening second-half kickoff, where they look to extend their lead right out of the gates.

Perhaps the Buckeyes heard Hawk’s advice, as Ohio State came out hot following the halftime break. Quinshon Judkins broke free for 70 yards through the heart of the defense before he eventually found the end zone from a yard out for his third touchdown of the night.

Following the score, the Buckeyes extended their lead to 28-7, which appeared to put them in the driver’s seat in the second half.