Defense, Special Teams Lift Notre Dame over Georgia in Sugar Bowl CFP Quarterfinal
A Dominant Performance
Riley Leonard passed for a touchdown, Jayden Harrison returned a kickoff 98 yards for a score, and Notre Dame’s defense made it hold up in a 23-10 victory over No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday that sends the third-ranked Fighting Irish into the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.
A Game of Big Plays
In a game that was delayed by a day because of a deadly terror attack in the host city, Notre Dame (13-1, CFP No. 5) made enough big plays and got some help from a clever move by coach Marcus Freeman. Georgia (11-2, CFP No. 2) was in position to close within one score when Notre Dame stopped it on fourth-and-5 from the Irish 9-yard line with 9:29 to go.
The Turning Point
Then, on fourth-and-short deep in his own territory, Freeman sent the punt team out before running all 11 players off the field and sending the offense out. Georgia raced to match up and then jumped offside as the play clock ticked down, giving the Irish a clock-sapping first down with 7:17 to go. By the time the Bulldogs got the ball back, just 1:49 remained, and Notre Dame was well on its way to playing No. 5 Penn State (13-2, CFP No. 6 seed) in a semifinal at the Orange Bowl in Miami on Jan. 9.
A Strong Performance by the Defense
Georgia entered the game without starting quarterback Carson Beck, who injured his elbow in the Southeastern Conference championship game. He was replaced by Gunner Stockton, who was 20 of 32 for 234 yards and one touchdown. Leonard finished with 90 yards passing and a team-high 80 yards rushing.
A Dominant Second Half
The game was tied at 3-all before Notre Dame scored 17 points in a span of 54 seconds. The unusual sequence began with Mitch Jeter’s 48-yard field goal with 39 seconds left in first half. Soon after, Georgia paid for an aggressive decision to attempt a drop-back pass from its own 25. RJ Oben’s blind-side sack caused Stockton to fumble at the 13, where Irish defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka recovered. Leonard found Beaux Collins over the middle for a touchdown on the next play for a 13-3 lead that stood at halftime.
A Special Teams Play
By the time 15 seconds had elapsed in the third quarter, Notre Dame led 20-13. Harrison took Georgia’s second-half kickoff all the way to the end zone, slipping a tackle near the middle of the field, cutting toward the right sideline and outrunning everyone.
The Final Score
Georgia closed the gap to 20-10 when Stockton hit reserve running back Cash Jones for a 32-yard score before Jeter’s third field goal of the game made it 23-10.
Conclusion
Notre Dame’s defense and special teams made the difference in this game, holding off a strong Georgia team and sending the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
FAQs
* What was the final score of the game?
+ Notre Dame won 23-10.
* Who scored the touchdown on the kickoff return?
+ Jayden Harrison.
* Who replaced Carson Beck as quarterback for Georgia?
+ Gunner Stockton.
* What was the significance of the punt team being sent out on fourth-and-short?
+ It resulted in a clock-sapping first down for Notre Dame.
