Notre Dame Dominates Georgia, Securing Spot in CFP Semifinals
Tragic circumstances forced the postponement of the Sugar Bowl to today from yesterday. With expanded security measures and hypervigilance from officials, however, the game was able to be played safely. It allowed fans who returned to the Superdome today to be rewarded with a competitive and exciting game, especially those hailing from South Bend. Notre Dame will face Penn State in the Semifinals on January 9th.
Self-inflicting errors affected both teams early in this game. Georgia struggled with ball security, fumbling on each of their first two possessions, including one in the red zone, which was recovered by the Fighting Irish. When the Bulldogs finally hit a big play to start the second quarter, an errant penalty on the Georgia sideline for making contact with an official cost them position deep in Notre Dame territory. Georgia had to settle for a field goal in what should’ve been a strong opportunity for seven points. The Irish, meanwhile, had problems early on of their own. In just the first quarter, they finished with five penalties, equating 43 yards. The teams went field goal for field goal by the eight-minute point of the second quarter, and fans were left witnessing a 3-3 defensive battle in what was widely believed to be a low-scoring game.
All momentum shifted in Notre Dame’s favor just before halftime. They worked a drive into Georgia territory that resulted in a lead-taking field goal before forcing a third fumble against the Bulldogs on the very next play from scrimmage. Quarterback Riley Leonard then threw a touchdown on his team’s first play of the well-positioned drive from the Georgia 13-yard line, and the Irish took a 13-3 lead. Georgia fans looked on in horror as their team turned a tie game into a 10-point deficit in a matter of minutes.
The nightmare for Georgia fans only got worse when the teams returned from the locker rooms. Senior receiver Jayden Harrison returned the opening second-half kickoff 98 yards to further expand the Notre Dame lead to 20-3. Notre Dame’s momentum slowed down from there, with each team taking turns punting before a 32-yard touchdown pass by Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton that brought the Bulldogs back into the game. It was late-game heroics and savvy coaching by Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman that ultimately won them the game. After a crucial stop by the Irish on fourth down to give themselves the ball with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, Notre Dame found themselves in a fourth down situation themselves. On a fourth-and-short, the Irish lined up for what seemed like a conventional punt play. Then suddenly, their special teams unit sprints off the field while their offense substitutes on, and Notre Dame manages to draw Georgia’s confused defense offsides amid the chaos. Georgia would not get the ball back until there were less than two minutes left. Already down two scores, Georgia’s season came to an anti-climactic end on a game-sealing sack.
Notre Dame has opened as a one-point favorite in the Orange Bowl against Penn State, which is set to take place in one week on January 9th. It will be a test for both squads who have proven themselves as legitimate contenders in a season where no team felt leaps and bounds against the rest of college football. It will be a battle of well-coached, hard-nosed, and defensive football teams that all fans should be excited to tune in for. Stay posted for our game preview coming out early next week.
