Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard always has made his faith a focal point in everything he does.

Moments after the Irish fell to Ohio State 34-23 in the College Football Playoff national championship, the Fairhope, Alabama, native made the most of his platform, and his comments went viral.

Leonard and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman were asked what they learned about the program this season and what they might be in position to do as a result.

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“Before I answer your question, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for giving me the opportunity to play in this game. I wrote on my hand Proverbs 27:17, ‘As iron sharpens iron, so shall one man sharpen another.’

“I think, as I said throughout the week, us and Ohio State were the two teams who praised Jesus Christ the most, and I think that we strengthened each other in our faiths through coming to this game and competing against each other.”

In the end, Leonard said he was content to see the Buckeyes win the national championship.

“I’m happy to see godly men come out on top no matter what the circumstance is,” he said. “I’m very happy to praise Jesus in the lowest of lows, as well.”

Leonard accounted for three touchdowns, passing for 255 yards with two scores. He ran for 40 yards with a touchdown on 17 carries.

Leonard was the workhorse on a monstrous 18-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to open the game. Riley had nine carries for 34 yards, including a 1-yard scoring run, in the drive which lasted 9 minutes, 45 seconds.

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.