The Fighting Irish excelled defensively and delivered a strong offensive finish in the second quarter to secure a spot in the semifinals.
With their signature solid defense and a stellar finish to the second quarter, Notre Dame advanced to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. The Fighting Irish overpowered Georgia to claim the Sugar Bowl with a convincing 23–10 victory.
This win propels Notre Dame to the Orange Bowl, where they will face Penn State on January 9th, with the winner heading to the national championship game on January 20th.
Quarterback Riley Leonard showcased his versatility by completing 15 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown while adding 80 rushing yards on 14 carries.
Wide receiver Beaux Collins made the most of his sole reception, turning it into a touchdown. Special teams also shined, with Jayden Harrison returning a kickoff 98 yards for a score, earning him a standout mention.
For Georgia, missing starting quarterback Carson Beck, Gunner Stockton stepped in and threw for 234 yards and a touchdown. However, Notre Dame’s defense stifled Georgia’s ground game, holding Trevor Etienne to just 38 yards on 11 carries.
Through the air, Cash Jones caught a touchdown pass but managed only one additional reception for 37 yards.
The game began as a defensive stalemate, with the first quarter ending scoreless. Georgia broke the deadlock in the second quarter with a 41-yard field goal by Peyton Woodring, taking a 3–0 lead. Notre Dame responded with Mitch Jeter’s 44-yard field goal, tying the game at 3–3.
As the second quarter wound down, Notre Dame gained momentum. Jeter added another field goal, this time from 48 yards, giving the Fighting Irish a 6–3 lead with just 39 seconds left in the half.
Georgia’s trouble compounded when quarterback Stockton was sacked by RJ Oben, leading to a fumble recovered by Notre Dame’s Junior Tuihalamaka. Starting from Georgia’s 13-yard line, Leonard connected with Collins for a touchdown, sending Notre Dame into halftime with a 13–3 advantage.
The second half began with a bang for Notre Dame. Jayden Harrison fielded the opening kickoff and sprinted 98 yards through Georgia’s defense to score, extending the lead to 20–3.
Georgia managed to answer quickly. Two drives later, Stockton led his team downfield and found Cash Jones for a touchdown on a well-placed pass, cutting the deficit to 20–10 with nine minutes remaining in the third quarter.
Notre Dame’s defense remained impenetrable, consistently halting Georgia’s advances. Jeter delivered the final blow early in the fourth quarter with a 47-yard field goal, putting Notre Dame ahead 23–10. The Fighting Irish defense held strong for the remainder of the game, securing the win.
Notre Dame will face Penn State in the Orange Bowl on January 9th, while Texas and Ohio State square off in the Cotton Bowl on January 10th. The winners of these matchups will compete for the national championship on January 20th at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
