Notre Dame defeats Georgia 23-10, advancing to CFP semifinals
🏆 Notre Dame advances to CFP semifinals, eliminating Georgia in the quarterfinals
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.
🔥 Notre Dame wins 23-10, advancing to the Orange Bowl
☘️ Another HUGE 4th down stop for Notre Dame
🎯 Notre Dame extends lead with 47-yard FG
⚔️ Notre Dame responds with its own 4th down stop
❌ Georgia makes 4th and 1 stop at midfield
🐶 Georgia finds the endzone
CASH JONES. THE DAWGS AREN’T DONE YET.
— College Football Report (@CFBRep)
🤯 Notre Dame returns second half kickoff
NOTRE DAME TAKES THE KICKOFF BACK AND IT’S 20-3 🔥
— College Football Report (@CFBRep)
☘️ Notre Dame leads 13-3 at halftime
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:
😳 Notre Dame strip sack sets up touchdown
NOTRE DAME CAPITALIZES ON THE FUMBLE AND TAKES A 13-3 LEAD RIGHT BEFORE HALF
— College Football Report (@CFBRep)
☘️ Notre Dame take 6-3 lead
⚔️ Notre Dame matches with FG
RILEY LEONARD BIG GAIN
— College Football Report (@CFBRep)
🎯 Georgia on the board first with a FG
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 🔥🎯
— UGA Football (@UGARecruiting20)
👀 Notre Dame forces fumble in red zone
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)
This was Etienne's first fumble in his college career. He had over 350 carries in three seasons before his first turnover.