The Notre Dame Fighting Irish defeated the Georgia Bulldogs 23-10 in the Sugar Bowl earlier today. The Allstate Sugar Bowl was postponed nearly 24 hours following an alleged terrorist attack in the city of New Orleans on New Year’s Eve. Officials believed delaying the game to Thursday gave them enough time to ensure all parties would be safe in this College Football Playoff Quarterfinal matchup. Whether due to the delay, or the enormity of the circumstances, both teams came out of the gates sluggish.
This win moves Notre Dame into the College Football Playoff Semifinals and they are the hottest team in the nation having won 13 consecutive games. The Bulldogs could not overcome turnovers and uncharacteristically sloppy play this evening in New Orleans.
Both Teams Start Slow
Georgia’s first drive was destined for a three-and-out, but a penalty on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish kept the drive going. Notre Dame’s defense forced a fumble from UGA Quarterback Gunner Stockton giving the team better field position on the upcoming punt. Stockton got the call for the Bulldogs after starting Quarterback Carson Beck suffered an elbow injury in the SEC Championship Game against Texas. After back-to-back special teams penalties, Notre Dame took the field for their opening drive.
Their opening drive went nowhere as they were forced to punt the ball back to the Bulldogs. UGA’s offense came alive on their second drive of the game, but a costly fumble by Running Back Trevor Etienne near the red zone abruptly ended the drive. The Fighting Irish could not capitalize and punted the ball back to Georgia.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Finish the First Half Strong
Stockton completed a 66-yard pass to Arian Smith on the ensuing drive, but a sideline interference penalty on the Bulldogs stalled the drive. The Bulldogs still got on the board first with a 41-yard field goal from Kicker Peyton Woodring. UGA led 3-0 with 12:14 remaining in the half. Notre Dame got off to a great start on their next drive thanks to a 32-yard run by Quarterback Riley Leonard, but could not follow up the massive gain.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish tied the game at 3 with a 43-yard field goal from Mitch Jeter. The game was knotted at 3 with 8:20 left in the first half. Notre Dame put together a strong drive to end the half, but the Bulldogs defense held Notre Dame to a 48-yard field goal that was knocked through by Jeter. Then disaster struck for the Georgia Bulldogs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish Defensive End RJ Oben forced a fumble on Stockton to give the Fighting Irish pristine field position. Leonard tossed a 13-yard touchdown to Beaux Collins on the following play to take a 13-3 lead into the half.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish scored 10 points in 13 seconds to take a 13-3 lead into intermission. Notre Dame had capitalized on turnovers all season and followed that recipe in the first half of the Sugar Bowl.
Notre Dame Picks Up Right Where They Left Off
In the blink of an eye, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish were up 20-3 seconds into the half. Jayden Harrison returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown. 17 points in 54 seconds created an avalanche the Georgia Bulldogs would need the second half to cut into. Georgia would punt after a four-play drive and put a red-hot Irish offense back on the field. Georgia’s defense forced a punt and needed their offense to show signs of life.
Fortunately, Georgia responded with a 63-yard drive capped off by a touchdown pass from Stockton to Cash Jones. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish now led 20-10 early in the second half. UGA’s defense continued to hold firm by stuffing a Leonard run on fourth down and gave the Bulldogs the ball back at midfield.
Notre Dame Hangs On To Win
The Irish defense had a stand of their own stopping the Bulldogs on fourth down by forcing an errant pass from Stockton due to massive pressure. Georgia’s defense came up with yet another big stop as Jeter knocked through a 47-yard field goal, his third of the day, to extend their lead to 23-10. The Bulldogs were aggressive again and went for it on fourth down, and the pass fell incomplete. A penalty on Notre Dame extended Georgia’s drive and gave the Bulldogs new life. It was Notre Dame’s ninth penalty of the game.
After three plays, UGA faced a fourth down at the nine-yard line. Notre Dame forced another incomplete pass and took over up 23-10 with 9:25 left in the game. Georgia’s defense committed a cardinal sin by jumping offsides and gifting the Notre Dame Fighting Irish a first down and essentially the game.
Notre Dame Head Coach Marcus Freeman ran his offense onto the field after initially sending out the special teams and fooled Georgia’s defense and coaching staff. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish continued to pick up first downs, forced Georgia to burn their remaining timeouts, and punted the ball back to the Bulldogs with under two minutes left in the game. Fittingly, Notre Dame sacked Stockton to seal the Sugar Bowl victory.
Final Thoughts
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish will face the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl on January 10. Notre Dame has looked dominant in their two games in the College Football Playoff. They defeated the Indiana Hoosiers 27-17 in the first round. The Orange Bowl features a matchup between two of the most storied programs in the nation with a spot in the National Championship Game up for grabs.
