12:38 am, January 3, 2025
Notre Dame took down Georgia 23-10 in the Sugar Bowl, punching its ticket to the Orange Bowl against Penn State. The College Football Playoff semifinals are set, with Penn State and Notre Dame facing off on Thursday, Jan. 9 and Texas and Ohio State on Friday, Jan. 10.
It was a defensive battle for most of the game, but a 17-point swing between the end of the first half and the start of the second half proved enough for the Irish to take down the two-seeded Bulldogs.
Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter drilled a 48-yard field goal with under a minute to play in the first half, putting the Irish up 6-3. On the first play after the kickoff, the Irish strip-sacked Gunner Stockton, taking over in the red zone with roughly 30 seconds to play in the first half. Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard found his receiver Beaux Collins in the end zone on the next play, giving the Irish a 13-3 lead at the break.
The game was busted wide open to start the second half when Jayden Harrison returned the second-half kickoff 98 yards to the end zone, giving Notre Dame a 20-3 lead early in the third quarter.
Notre Dame was held under 100 passing yards, but its run game vastly out-played UGA’s, out-gaining the Bulldogs on the ground 154-62. Georgia could move the ball through the air, as Carson Beck’s replacement, Gunner Stockton, threw for 234 and a touchdown. However, Georgia was 0 for 2 on pivotal fourth down plays, and it could not overcome the 17-point swing midway through the game.
Leonard continued to make huge plays with his legs, as he’s done all season, leading the game with 80 yards on the ground on 14 attempts. The Notre Dame defense held its reputation, forcing two fumbles for the nation’s fifth-ranked takeaway defense.
The Irish beat the Bulldogs with 52 fewer yards than Georgia, and Notre Dame’s 244 total yards was the lowest total yards in a win in College Football Playoff history. After Oregon fell to Ohio State last night, the Irish now hold the longest winning streak in the nation with 12 straight since their Week 2 loss to Northern Illinois.
12:34 am, January 3, 2025
Notre Dame took down Georgia in the Sugar Bowl 23-10, advancing to the Orange Bowl against Penn State in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
12:11 am, January 3, 2025
Georgia went for it on 4th and 5 in the red zone, but Gunner Stockton was unable to connect with tight end Lawson Luckie near the end zone. The Irish take over inside their own 20 with under 10 minutes to play in New Orleans, leading 23-10.
11:55 pm, January 2, 2025
The Irish lead 23-10 with Mitch Jeter’s third field goal of the game. Notre Dame originally went for it on 4th and 2, but a penalty knocked the Irish back five yards, forcing Marcus Freeman to settle for three. Georgia will receive the ensuing kickoff with over 13 minutes to play in the fourth quarter.
11:43 pm, January 2, 2025
The Irish pressure Gunner Stockton on 4th and 2, forcing a low throw short of the first down marker. Notre Dame takes back over near midfield with under three minutes to play in the third quarter.
11:38 pm, January 2, 2025
The Bulldogs stop Notre Dame on 4th and 1 at the 50-yard line, holding Riley Leonard inches short of the line to gain. Georgia takes over down 20-10 with five minutes to play in the third quarter.
11:24 pm, January 2, 2025
Gunner Stockton finds running back Cash Jones for a 32-yard touchdown. The Bulldogs put together a five-play, 63-yard drive to cut the lead to 20-10.
CASH JONES. THE DAWGS AREN’T DONE YET.
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) January 2, 2025
11:05 pm, January 2, 2025
Irish return man Jayden Harrison takes the opening kickoff of the second half 98 yards to the house. Notre Dame is in complete control of the Sugar Bowl, now leading 20-3 early in the third quarter.
NOTRE DAME TAKES THE KICKOFF BACK AND IT’S 20-3 🔥
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) January 2, 2025
10:43 pm, January 2, 2025
Notre Dame took control of a rather slow first half in the final minute, now leading by 10 at the break. The game was tied 3-3 with under a minute to play in the second quarter. The Irish drilled a 48-yard field goal, and on Georgia’s first play following the kickoff, RJ Oben strip-sacked Gunner Stockton. Notre Dame took over in the red zone, and Riley Leonard found his receiver in the end zone on the next play.
It was a pivotal double-digit swing for Notre Dame, and the Irish will receive the second-half kickoff, looking to extend the lead and put the pressure on Kirby Smart’s second-ranked Bulldogs.
Here’s how the team’s stats line up after the first 30 minutes:
10:37 pm, January 2, 2025
The Irish collapse on Gunner Stockton on the Bulldog’s first play from kickoff, and Riley Leonard finds Beaux Collins in the end zone. Notre Dame takes a 10-point lead in a matter of seconds, with under a minute to play in the first half.
NOTRE DAME CAPITALIZES ON THE FUMBLE AND TAKES A 13-3 LEAD RIGHT BEFORE HALF
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) January 2, 2025
10:35 pm, January 2, 2025
Irish kicker Mitch Jeter drills a 48-yarder to give Notre Dame a three-point lead with under a minute to play in the first half. UGA linebacker Smael Mondon sacked Riley Leonard on 1st and 10 for seven yards, stunting the Irish’s touchdown hopes.
10:06 pm, January 2, 2025
A 32-yard scramble by Irish quarterback Riley Leonard sets up a 44-yard field goal for kicker Mitch Jeter. Notre Dame knots the Sugar Bowl 3-3 midway through the second quarter.
RILEY LEONARD BIG GAIN
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) January 2, 2025
Bulldog’s kicker Peyton Woodring finds the first points of the Sugar Bowl with a 41-yard field goal. Gunner Stockton found wideout Arian Smith down the sideline for a huge gain into the red zone, but the Bulldogs were pushed back 15 yards for sideline interference. A Georgia player who was not dressed out impeded the referee down the sideline.
What a throw by Gunner 🔥🎯 pic.twitter.com/0FD7lId97d
— UGA Football (@UGARecruiting20) January 2, 2025
Georgia was driving deep in Irish territory, but Notre Dame sent a blitz on 3rd and 1, meeting UGA running back Trevor Etienne in the backfield and knocking the ball loose. Notre Dame recovered the fumble, and now take over in its own territory with under three minutes to play in the first quarter.
GEORGIA FUMBLES IT IN THE REDZONE AND NOTRE DAME RECOVERS!
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) January 2, 2025
This was Etienne’s first fumble in his college career. He had over 350 carries in three seasons before his first turnover.
Each team punts on opening possession, with both offenses failing to gain a yard.
