NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Matt Flynn threw four touchdown passes Monday, leading No. 2 LSU to a 38-24 win over top-ranked Ohio State for the college football championship.

The Tigers scored 31 unanswered points on their way to their second national title in five years.

Jacob Hester ran for another score for the Tigers (12-2), who won their third national championship, joining the 1958 and 2003 teams. It was on Jan. 4, 2004, when LSU beat Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl, but had to share the championship with Southern California that season.

Todd Boeckman threw for two touchdowns, but was intercepted twice for the Buckeyes (11-2), who lost for a second straight year in the title game.

Last year, Ohio State was routed by the Florida Gators 41-14.