The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff semifinal after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs 23-10 in a gritty Sugar Bowl performance on Thursday.
Despite facing adversity both on and off the field, Notre Dame showed supreme resilience and in many ways beat Georgia at their own game.
When the clock struck zero, it was crystal clear who the better, more physical, and more deserving team was.
While the game lacked offensive fireworks, Notre Dame’s defense delivered a masterclass.
The Fighting Irish held Georgia to just 62 rushing yards on 29 carries, a mere 2.1 yards per attempt.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s ground game proved effective, amassing 154 rushing yards. Quarterback Riley Leonard led the charge with 80 yards on 14 carries, showcasing his dual-threat abilities.
Notre Dame’s physicality was particularly evident during their final drive.
After a critical fourth-down stop with under eight minutes remaining, the Irish executed a clock-draining 12-play drive consisting entirely of rushing attempts.
The sequence consumed nearly six minutes and epitomized their dominance in the trenches.
Offensively, Notre Dame set a College Football Playoff record for the fewest total yards by a winning team, finishing with just 244.
The Fighting Irish now turn their attention to next week’s semifinal matchup against Penn State in the Orange Bowl.
The Nittany Lions, known for their prowess on both sides of the ground game, will present a formidable challenge.
Having said that, Marcus Freeman and his hard-nosed Fighting Irish have to feel good about their chances.
What are your thoughts on Notre Dame’s gritty effort against the Bulldogs?
Do the Irish have what it takes to win the national championship???
