Notre Dame Defeats Georgia 23-10 in Sugar Bowl to Advance to CFP Semifinals/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Notre Dame defeated No. 2 Georgia 23-10 in a delayed Sugar Bowl, securing a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals. The victory came amid heightened emotions following a New Year’s Day tragedy in New Orleans. Coach Marcus Freeman praised his team’s resilience and aggressive play.
Notre Dame vs. Georgia: Key Takeaways
- Final Score: Notre Dame 23, Georgia 10
- Key Players: Riley Leonard passed for a touchdown and rushed for 80 yards; Jayden Harrison scored on a 98-yard kickoff return.
- Freeman’s Strategy: Aggressive play-calling, including a fourth-down bluff, helped seal the victory.
- Next Matchup: Notre Dame faces Penn State in the Orange Bowl on January 9.
Notre Dame Defeats Georgia 23-10 in Sugar Bowl to Advance to CFP Semifinals
Deep Look
Notre Dame Rises Amid Tragedy
Coach Marcus Freeman led No. 3 Notre Dame (13-1, CFP No. 5) to a victory over No. 2 Georgia (11-3, CFP No. 2) in the Sugar Bowl, a game postponed after a tragic terrorist attack in New Orleans. The Irish showed resilience, balancing preparation with emotional support during the delay.
Freeman praised his players for their ability to focus amid challenging circumstances:
“We spent time together because that’s what you do in tough moments. You want to spend time with family, and that’s what we are.”
Key Moments in the Game
Notre Dame broke a 3-3 tie with a burst of 17 points in just 54 seconds before halftime. After a field goal, RJ Oben forced a fumble, setting up a Riley Leonard touchdown pass to Beaux Collins. The Irish opened the third quarter with Jayden Harrison’s electrifying 98-yard kickoff return, putting Georgia in an uphill battle.
Georgia’s offense struggled without starting quarterback Carson Beck. Backup Gunner Stockton threw for 234 yards and a touchdown but was undone by two costly fumbles and three failed fourth-down conversions.
Freeman’s Gamble
In a pivotal moment, Freeman executed a bold bluff on fourth down, feigning a punt before drawing Georgia offside. The move extended a crucial drive and drained precious time from the clock.
“That’s the aggressiveness I want our program to have,” Freeman said. “We are going to be an aggressive group and not fear making mistakes.”
Georgia’s Struggles
Georgia’s head coach Kirby Smart lamented his team’s missed opportunities:
“The turnovers are the difference in the game. You’re not going to have a lot of success when you give up a kickoff return and fumble twice.”
Without Beck, the Bulldogs’ offense lacked consistency, managing only 296 total yards compared to Notre Dame’s 244.
Key Players
- Riley Leonard (Notre Dame): Passed for 90 yards, rushed for 80, and threw a touchdown.
- Jayden Harrison (Notre Dame): Scored on a 98-yard kickoff return to open the second half.
- Gunner Stockton (Georgia): Passed for 234 yards and a touchdown but lost two fumbles.
Quotes
- Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame): “Our coaches called the game aggressively. Our players executed and put everything on the line.”
- Kirby Smart (Georgia): “We jumped offsides. We prepare for that. We do it every week.”
- Riley Leonard (Notre Dame): “Everybody else can put their body on the line, I’m going to do it right there with them.”
Takeaways
- Notre Dame’s Momentum: With a dominant defense and Leonard’s dual-threat ability, the Irish look poised for success in the semifinals.
- Georgia’s Missed Opportunity: Without their starting quarterback, the Bulldogs’ miscues proved too costly to overcome.
What’s Next?
- Notre Dame: The Irish will face No. 5 Penn State (13-2, CFP No. 6) in the Orange Bowl on January 9.
- Georgia: The Bulldogs open the 2025 season at home against Marshall on August 30.
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