Notre Dame handles Indiana, wins 27-17 in CFP first round matchup

The Hoosiers finally found the end zone, snagging their first touchdown of the game with a seven-yard touchdown pass from Rourke to wideout Myles Price on a 12-play, 76-yard drive.

Additionally, they converted the two-point conversion to make it 27-11 with less than two minutes left.

If the Fighting Irish didn't put the nail in the coffin before, Leonard did with a one-yard rushing touchdown, walking into the end zone unscathed.

The team's third touchdown of the game, it gives Leonard the school record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with 15.

Notre Dame milked the clock for most of the drive, a tactic they perfected as the game continued. Leonard the offense caught the Hoosiers sleeping on the seventh play, though, connecting with wide receiver Jordan Faison for a 44-yard reception to put them at the one-yard line. Two plays later, Leonard completed the mission.

riley leonard; jordan faison

— ◇ (@H00DH3R0)

Notre Dame extended its lead to behind a 33-yard field goal from Jeter, making it a three-score game. 

After trading back-to-back punts to start the second half, the Hoosiers were one play, and smart decision, away from forcing another punt. However, Carpenter's late hit on Leonard turned the Fighting Irish's 3rd and 14 at the 24-yard line to 1st and 10 inside the red zone. 

Indiana had another opportunity to get off the field after stopping Notre Dame's trick play on fourth down, but coach Curt Cignetti called a timeout milliseconds before the play to give the Fighting Irish a chance to kick the field goal.

Curt Cignetti was not happy with this late hit penalty 😳

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB)

Notre Dame's calling card was its ability to respond in the first half, jumpstarted by the defense's interception after Leonard's to start the game. They repeated this effort seconds before halftime with kicker Mitch Jeter nailing a 49-yard field goal following Indiana's minutes prior. 

The field goal gave the Fighting Irish a 17-3 lead over the Hoosiers following the 12-play, 52-yard scoring drive.

Notre Dame was in control for most of the half, as the defense limited Indiana's high-flying offense to 138 total yards and three points. The Hoosiers averaged 438.8 yards and 43.3 points per contest. 

The Fighting Irish have won 26 straight games after leading at the half.

Unfamiliar territory for Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers 😳

— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB)

The Hoosiers have struggled to settle down during their first four offensive drives.

Averaging just 21 yards gained and five plays on each possession, Indiana hasn't found an answer to Notre Dame's smothering defense. Kurtis Rourke has completed just two of his eight passes for 38 yards. He entered the matchup with a top five QBR rating in FBS (85.7). 

The Fighting Irish extended their lead, finding the end zone again behind Leonard's five-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jayden Thomas to complete a 16-play, 83-yard drive.

Unable to punch it in on first down, Leonard faked the handoff and found Thomas wide open in the middle of the end zone. 

The 14-point deficit is the second-largest deficit Indiana has faced all season.

Riley Leonard➡️ Jayden Thomas

Notre Dame 14 | Indiana 🥚

— WB Network (@WBNetwork72)

Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke's first red zone interception couldn't have come at a worst time.

The Hoosiers seemed to find its rhythm just four minutes into the game, intercepting Leonard and wide receiver Cedarius Doss making a jaw-dropping catch to put Indiana at Notre Dame's 17-yard line.

That's when defensive back Xavier Watts shut the party down, intercepting Rourke and hand his offense the ball back at the 2-yard line. It's Watts' sixth interception of the season.

Throwing near Xavier Watts is a mistake

— PFF College (@PFF_College)

The Hoosiers' defense has answered the bell early, intercepting Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard on the Fighting Irish's first offensive possession of the game.

Attempting to connect with wideout Deion Colzie, Leonard's pass was batted in the air by defensive lineman James Carpenter and caught by defensive back D'Angelo Pods. 

It was Pods, who was named to the All-Big Ten first team, third interception of the year. Indiana takes over at Notre Dame's 41-yard line.

Indiana with the early interception in Notre dame territory.

— Jasey Smith (@tennis4life13)

What better way to kick off the 12-team College Football Playoff than a snow game. 

South Bend, Indiana and Notre Dame Stadium were filled with snow this morning — an environment that the tournament has never played in before. 

Although snow has slowed throughout the day and isn't forecasted for game time, expect below 25-degree weather with cold and windy conditions.

7am in South Bend. cars already lined up waiting to get on campus. a light snowfall.

Happy CFP Friday to all who observe.

— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr)

No. 7 Notre Dame will host No. 10 Indiana in the first game of the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff tonight. The game will be played on Friday, Dec. 20 at Notre Dame Stadium.

• WHEN: 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 20
• TV: ABC/ESPN
• STREAMING: