Quarterback Riley Leonard and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish advance to the College Football Playoff semifinal following a 23-10 victory over the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl.
Leonard completed 15 of 24 pass attempts for 90 yards and a touchdown for Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish’s defense managed to create turnovers and stymied the Georgia rushing attack in the victory.
Notre Dame forced Georgia to fumble three times and two were recovered by the Irish. The Bulldogs also struggled to get the run game going, finishing with just 62 rushing yards.
The game was played Thursday after the Sugar Bowl was postponed Wednesday as a result of the deadly attack in New Orleans.
Georgia became the fourth and final team that earned a first-round bye to lose in the quarterfinals. Ohio State, Texas and Penn State earned victories earlier in the week to advance to the semifinal.
Ohio State is scheduled to play Texas in the Cotton Bowl.
Notre Dame will play Penn State in the Orange Bowl. Notre Dame and Penn State each have nine wins in the 19-game series. The Fighting Irish and the Nittany Lions had a game end in a scoreless tie in November 1925.
Here are the highlights for Notre Dame’s decisive win in the Sugar Bowl:
Highlights: Riley Leonard leads Notre Dame to victory
Final: Notre Dame 23, Georgia 10
The Fighting Irish are moving on to the College Football Playoff semifinal.
Notre Dame leads at the two-minute timeout
The Fighting Irish lead the Bulldogs 23-10 with two minutes left in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Riley Leonard has completed 15 of 24 pass attempts for 90 yards and a touchdown for Notre Dame. He’s also contributed to the run game with 14 carries for 80 yards, including a 32-yard run for a first down in the second quarter.
Score update: Notre Dame 23, Georgia 10
Kicker Mitch Jeter had his number called again for a third field goal attempt from 44+ yards. Jeter had a successful 47-yard attempt to increase the Fighting Irish’s lead with 13:47 left in the fourth quarter. He made a 44-yard and 48-yard field goal in the second quarter.
End of 3: Notre Dame 20, Georgia 10
Notre Dame leans on running back Jadarian Price for a pair of runs to help move the ball down the field as time expires in the third quarter. Price had gains of eight and seven yards respectively. Wide receiver Jordan Faison also had a six-yard gain on the final play of the quarter for Notre Dame.
Georgia unable to capitalize
The Bulldogs were unable to convert on fourth-and-2 despite quarterback Gunner Stockon completing a pass to receiver Dillon Bell. The completion did not result in any yards gained. Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts was credited with a quarterback hurry on the play.
Notre Dame turns ball over after Riley Leonard’s unsuccessful run attempt
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard had some success running the ball this evening but was unable to gain any yards with a keeper up at midfield on fourth-and-1. Notre Dame turned the ball over on downs and Georgia has a chance to narrow the lead. Notre Dame leads Georgia 20-10 with 5:45 left in the third quarter.
Georgia shows signs of life in third quarter
Georgia managed to find some offense and put some points on the scoreboard to stop Notre Dame’s 20 unanswered points. Quarterback Gunner Stockton found Cash Jones for a 32-yard touchdown. Notre Dame leads Georgia 20-10 with 9:36 left in the third quarter.
Scoring update: Notre Dame 20, Georgia 3
The Fighting Irish carried its first-half momentum into the second half with a kick return for a touchdown to begin the third quarter.
Jayden Harrison returned the kick 98 yards for a touchdown with 14:45 left in the third quarter.
Sugar Bowl crowd enjoys fervor amid safety protocols
A group of Notre Dame fans in sparkly hats walked toward the Superdome two hours before the Sugar Bowl’s kickoff. Their green hats suited the Irish and New Orleans. They moved at a much quicker pace on foot than the gridlocked traffic on Claiborne Avenue as frustrated drivers inched forward. A half-mile journey into a left-handed turn off Claiborne took an hour.
At Garage 6 near the stadium, a police dog walked around an entering vehicle, while a police officer asked the driver to pop the hatch for a quick search. Outside the gate for the Crown Royal Signature Club, the entry line was lengthy and slow-moving, but fans showed good spirits as they waited to walk through metal detectors.
As kickoff approached, plenty of empty seats remained, but those in attendance perked up for the national anthem, with some chanting, “U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!”
— Blake Toppmeyer
Halftime: Notre Dame 13, Georgia 3
Notre Dame takes the momentum into the locker room after following up Mitch Jeter’s 48-yard field goal with a quick turnover and touchdown. Defensive lineman RJ Oben forced Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton to fumble the ball on a sack before it was recovered by defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka.
On the next play, Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard completed a pass up the middle to receiver Beaux Collins for a 13-yard touchdown with 27 seconds left in the second quarter.
Mitch Jeter plays key role for Notre Dame in first half
Jeter has managed to make an impact in the second quarter with a pair of field goals to build a 6-3 lead over Georgia. The South Carolina transfer made a 44-yard and 48-yard field goal this evening.
Score update: Notre Dame 6, Georgia 3
Notre Dame worked its way back into field goal range after Riley Leonard rushed for 10 yards on another quarterback keeper. Mitch Jeter was able to make the 48-yard field goal attempt with 39 seconds remaining in the first half.
Notre Dame sacked out of field goal range
Riley Leonard completed a pass to Mitchell Evans for a 10-yard gain that helped get Notre Dame in field goal range. The Fighting Irish were briefly brought back out of field goal range when Leonard was sacked by Smael Mondon Jr. for an 11-yard loss.
Score update: Notre Dame 3, Georgia 3
Notre Dame evens the score with Georgia after Mitch Jeter made a 44-yard field goal attempt with 8:20 left in the second quarter on fourth-and-7.
The scoring drive featured a run from Riley Leonard on a quarterback keeper for 32 yards to pick up a first down. Leonard has been the second-leading rusher for Notre Dame this season.
Score update: Georgia 3, Notre Dame 0
Peyton Woodring, a Louisiana native, produced a successful 41-yard field goal attempt to give the Bulldogs the first lead of the game with 12:14 left in the second quarter.
Georgia player called for rare interference penalty
‘Bulldogs redshirt sophomore defensive back Parker Jones was called for a sideline interference call following a 66-yard pass-and-catch between quarterback Gunner Stockton and wide receiver Arian Smith, who advanced the ball to the Notre Dame 11-yard line. However, the penalty moved the ball back to the 26-yard line.’ – Ehsan Kassim
Georgia’s explosive play put the Bulldogs in scoring position
Quarterback Gunner Stockton completed a 66-yard pass to receiver Arian Smith on the first play of a drive. The Bulldogs did lose some of that progress after a sideline interference penalty was enforced. The ball was moved back five yards from the Notre Dame 16 to the Notre Dame 21-yard line.
End of 1: Georiga 0, Notre Dame 0
The Sugar Bowl remains scoreless after one-quarter of play. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton completed all six of his passes with 42 passing yards. Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard completed three of his four attempts for six yards.
Trevor Etienne fumbles ball, Notre Dame recovers
Georgia had a 14-play drive end with running back Trevor Etienne fumbling the football after a gain of six yards. Safety Adon Shuler forced the fumble before it was recovered by linebacker Jaiden Ausberry at the Notre Dame 10-yard line with 2:37 left in the first quarter. The game remains scoreless.
Notre Dame runs into Georgia punter twice
The Fighting Irish might be playing nervous or overly aggressive having run into the punter Drew Miller early in the first quarter.
Miller’s first college career punt attempt resulted in a penalty after Notre Dame was called for a five-yard penalty for running into the kicker. Miller was brought back out for another attempt.
Bryce Young was called for the penalty. Young has been successful on special teams this season, having three blocks this season, which ranks second in FBS.
Miller’s second attempted resulted in a 36-yard punt to the Notre Dame 32-yard line. Georgia kick returner Max Hurleman managed to return it just four yards.
U.S. President Joe Biden provides message before kickoff
Biden provided a video message before the start of the ESPN broadcast in response to the New Orleans terror attack.
Notre Dame wins the coin toss
Notre Dame called the toss. The Fighting Irish have decided to defer their choice for the second half of the game. Georgia will receive the ball.
When is Sugar Bowl between Notre Dame and Georgia?
The Sugar Bowl CFP quarterfinal game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Georgia Bulldogs was rescheduled for Thursday and kicks off at 4 p.m. ET at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.
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How to watch Notre Dame and Georgia in Sugar Bowl
The Sugar Bowl game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Georgia Bulldogs will be televised nationally on ESPN.
Live streaming is available on Fubo, which has a free trial.
Watch Notre Dame take on Georgia with a Fubo subscription
Notre Dame fans attend Mass in New Orleans before Sugar Bowl
NEW ORLEANS — An estimated 500 Notre Dame football supporters gathered at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside late Wednesday morning for the Catholic Mass that is traditionally held on game days.
This experience, however, was sadly different after Wednesday morning’s attack on Bourbon Street.
“This is what we do, right?” Rev. Nate Wills said in an interview after presiding over the service.
– Mike Berardino, South Bend Tribune
Georgia coach Kirby Smart speaks ahead of Sugar Bowl
NEW ORLEANS — The Georgia football team arrived Thursday afternoon to the Superdome about two hours prior to kickoff.
It came a day after the Sugar Bowl was postponed after a terror attack on Bourbon Street killed 14 and injured dozens of others hours after the new year. Coach Kirby Smart was asked on ESPN by Marty Smith on the field as players headed to the locker room what the last couple of days have been like in New Orleans.
“Tragic,” Smart said in his first public comments since the attack. “A lot of people lost their lives. It’s saddening and scary. … These kids want to come play a football game and do what they love to do and they’ve got an opportunity to do that today.”
– Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald
Bourbon Street reopens ahead of Sugar Bowl
– Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY
Superdome security heightened before Sugar Bowl
NEW ORLEANS – Seven minutes.
That’s how long the GPS says it should take the charter bus from the Sheraton Canal Street to the Caesars Superdome in advance of Thursday’s Sugar Bowl quarterfinal game between Notre Dame and Georgia.
Traffic, both on foot and in the street, was heavier late Thursday morning than Wednesday afternoon, when seemingly no one was around for blocks. Poydras Street is a collection of green street lights and red brake lights. And flashing lights. There remains a heavy police presence around the Superdome following Wednesday’s morning’s attack on Bourbon Street. When the media shuttle pulls into the parking garage – nine minutes after departing – officials conduct a thorough search of the luggage bays.
Media are escorted from the bus into the Dome garage, which leads to media check in. It resembled a TSA airport security line, with no pre-check option. Even at half past 10, the line stretches through the underground garage and is 25-30 deep. It takes 20 minutes to clear security – laptop in a bin, everything out of your pockets, but please, keep your shoes on.
Once inside the Dome, it looks and feels like business as usual. Doors don’t open to fans until 1 p.m. local ahead of kickoff at 3. On the field, the Georgia marching band works through its program. Officials are there to point the way to the field, to the work room and to the press box way up high.
It starts to feel again like football. Finally. – Tom Noie, South Bend (Ind.) Tribune
Increased police presence in New Orleans around Sugar Bowl
NEW ORLEANS — Outside the Superdome late Thursday morning was a Jefferson Parrish Sheriff’s Office mobile command center and about a half dozen trucks lining a street.
New Orleans police also were spotted and a dog from a K-9 unit was brought up to help make sure a media bus approaching a gate had no suspicious cargo. New Orleans police superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said hundreds of local, federal and military police will enhance the Sugar Bowl security lining the streets.
“We are staffing up at the same level, if not, what we were preparing for the Super Bowl,” Kirkpatrick told NBC’s Today Show. The Super Bowl will be held in the Superdome on Feb. 9. Capacity is around 68,000.
The ATF was called in bringing explosive detection canines to use at the Superdome and other areas, ATF special agent Joshua Jackson said at a Thursday morning press briefing. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landy told Fox News that expanded road closures was part of the plan.
There were long lines outside some restaurants less than a mile from the stadium with fans trying to get a table for a pregame meal.
Gates open at 1 p.m. CT, two hours before kickoff. – Marc Weiszer, Athens Banner-Herald
Georgia fans cheer on team at hotel
Both Georgia and Notre Dame were on lockdown at the hotel on Wednesday while police investigated the deadly attack. But, the Bulldogs were seen leaving the hotel for a walkthrough last night as fans looked on.
Sugar Bowl predictions: Norte Dame vs. Georgia
USA TODAY: No. 3 Notre Dame over No. 2 Georgia
Paul Myerberg writes: ‘Here’s the first major upset of the playoff. One thing to keep in mind is the potential availability of quarterback Carson Beck, who was injured just before halftime of the SEC championship game and underwent an MRI on Sunday. Even if he’s back in the lineup, will Beck be healthy enough to deliver against the nation’s best pass defense? Notre Dame has allowed opponents to complete just 48.7% of attempts with 17 interceptions against just nine touchdowns.’
ESPN: Notre Dame 19, Georgia 17
Adam Rittenberg writes: ‘Expect the defenses to shine in this game, which likely will come down to turnovers, special teams and field position. But Georgia doesn’t defend the run as well as it normally does, and Notre Dame’s ability to move the ball with its trident of Jeremiyah Love, Jadarian Price and Riley Leonard will show up in the second half. Georgia makes a late charge before Xavier Watts seals the win with an interception.’
College Football News: Georgia 24, Notre Dame 20
Pete Fiutak writes: ‘Notre Dame has everything in place to win this, win again, and win again to become the national champion, but it’s playoff time. Until proven otherwise, assume we’re getting Playoff Georgia in a low scoring defensive fight. The D will come through against Leonard enough in the second half to grind this out.’
Notre Dame vs. Georgia: Sugar Bowl odds
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are favorites to defeat the Georgia Bulldogs, according to BetMGM.
Odds as of Wednesday, Jan. 1
Spread: Notre Dame (-1.0)
Moneyline: Georgia (-110); Notre Dame (-110)
Over/under: 45.5
When are the College Football Playoff semifinals?
The CFP semifinal games will be played on January 9 and 10.
Thursday, Jan. 9
Orange Bowl: No. 6 Penn State vs. Sugar Bowl winner, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL
Friday, Jan. 10
Cotton Bowl: No. 5 Texas Longhorns vs. No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX
College Football Playoff first-round results
Friday, Dec. 20
Game 1: No. 7 Notre Dame def. No. 10 Indiana, 27-17
Saturday, Dec. 21
Game 2: No. 6 Penn State def. No. 11 SMU, 38-10
Game 3: No. 5 Texas def. No. 12 Clemson, 38-24
Game 4: No. 8 Ohio State def. No. 9 Tennessee, 42-17
Notre Dame vs. Georgia all-time record
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Georgia Bulldogs have faced each other three times in their history. Georgia owns a 3-0 record in the series.
The Bulldogs beat the Fighting Irish in the most recent match-up, 23-17, on Sept. 21, 2019.
Notre Dame and Marcus Freeman’s high-stakes game
Marcus Freeman looks good on Notre Dame. Beating Georgia would make him look so much better.
The Fighting Irish’s first College Football Playoff victory in program history affirmed Notre Dame doesn’t miss Brian Kelly.
That’s a delicious comeuppance for Irish fans who for the past three years harbored two favorite teams: Notre Dame, and whichever team played Kelly’s LSU Tigers. Sometimes, it seemed as if the pecking order might be flipped.’ — Blake Toppmeyer
CFP national championship game schedule
Monday, Jan. 20
Game: Orange Bowl winner vs. Cotton Bowl winner
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Former Princeton WR Tiger Bech killed in New Orleans attack
Former Princeton football player Tiger Bech was killed in the New Orleans truck attack early Wednesday morning, his brother, TCU standout Jack Bech, confirmed on social media.
Jack Bech led the Horned Frogs with 1,039 receiving yards and nine touchdowns this season, emerging as one of the best receivers in the country in 2024. Tiger Bech, 28, was an All-Ivy League performer, spending three seasons at Princeton from 2016-18.
‘Love you always brother,’ Bech wrote on X. ‘You inspired me (every day) now you get to be with me in every moment. I got this family T, don’t worry. This is for us.’ — Austin Curtright, USA TODAY Network
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