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The Fighting Irish are moving forward in the College Football Playoff, with No. 1 7 Notre Dame toppling No. 7 2 Georgia 23-10 to advance to the semifinals.
Notre Dame will now face No. 6 Penn State, defeating No. 6 3 Boise State next Thursday. Decide who will advance to the national championship game.
This game was supposed to be played on Wednesday night. But the terrorist attacks in New Orleans forced it to be postponed to Thursday afternoon. Caesars Superdome is still packed with matchups. There was a moment of silence for those killed and injured in senseless acts of violence.
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Riley Leonard, a 13-year-old Irish quarterback for the Notre Dame Fighting, catches a pass during the first quarter at Caesars Superdome. (Stephen Lew-Imagn photo)
Chants of “USA!” were heard before the national anthem was heard throughout the stadium.
When play begins Both teams displayed suffocating defense. As neither team could find a point on the scoreboard until the Bulldogs finally kicked a 41-yard field goal to make it 3-0 early in the second quarter.
It could have been more when Arian Smith completed a pass to Gunner Stockton and went 67 yards to Notre Dame’s 11-yard line, but one of the strangest penalties was called for 15 yards out when the sideline referee collided with Parker Jones, a walk-on cornerback who hasn’t played all season; and was on the sidelines in his jersey without pads on.
NOTRE DAME BACK RUNNING INTO KICKER PENALTY TO OPEN THE SUGAR BOWL
The 15-yard penalty ended up hurting Georgia as they settled for a field goal when they only had four more points.
Not only did Notre Dame score a field goal, but they took a 6-3 lead with 39 seconds to play when Mitch. Jeter drilled a 48-yard field goal before the end of the first half.
The Fighting Irish should have headed into the locker room well with the lead despite never finding the end zone. But everything changed on the first play of Georgia’s next drive when quarterback Gunner Stockton was stripped down by RJ Oben.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman RJ Oben (9) catches a pass off Georgia Bulldogs defenseman Gunner Stockton (14) on a fumble recovered by Irish defensive lineman Junior Tuihalamaka. of Notre Dame Fighting (44) during the first half at Caesars Superdome. (Stephen Lew-Imagn photo)
As the ball bounced around the turf, Notre Dame junior Tuihalamaka pounced on it and gave Riley Leonard and the Fighting Irish the ball on Georgia’s 13-yard line until it finally had time to get into the end zone.
That’s what happened when Leonard scored for Beaux. Wide receiver Collins scored on a 13-yard field goal to take a 13-3 lead into the first half.
It was a miracle for Notre Dame considering they would have the ball starting in the second half. And that’s when the game completely changed in favor of the Fighting Irish.
Jayden Harrison took the field for Notre Dame and brought it home – 98 yards down the left sideline to open the game with a 20-3 lead for his team. Head coach Marcus Freeman loved every second of it. On the sidelines as he celebrates with his team.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Beaux Collins (5) scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs at Caesars Superdome. (Amber Searls-Imagn Photo)
On the other hand, head coach Kirby Smart knows he wants his kids to play. His kicks kicked into high gear and Stockton was finally able to get one of his teammates into the end zone in the third quarter when Cache Jones was left alone on the 32-yard line that went for six yards.
But that was all Georgia would get in the second half. Because Notre Dame’s defense forced a turnover on two downs after that. Including incomplete fourth and fifth passes to Lawson. Lucky to win
Looking at the box score, Leonard threw for just 88 yards, not great, even without an interception and rushing for 65 yards on 11 carries. Jordan Faison was solid for Notre Dame with 46 carries. yards on four catches
Jayden Harrison (2) Notre Dame player Celebrating after scoring a 98-yard touchdown in the second half against Georgia. in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals on Thursday, Jan. 1, Oct. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
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for bulldog Stockton was 18-for-29 for 225 yards and his touchdown. The Fighting Irish were able to hold off Trevor Etienne, the Bulldogs’ hard-nosed runner, as he gained just 38 yards on 11 carries.
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