Jeremiyah Love made history by tying a Notre Dame record with a remarkable 98-yard touchdown run, leading the Fighting Irish to a 27-17 victory over Indiana in their first College Football Playoff win. This momentous game, played on a brisk evening at Notre Dame Stadium, marked the seventh-seeded Irish’s 11th consecutive win and their inaugural playoff victory at a campus site.
During the match, Indiana, the No. 10 seed, struggled against Notre Dame’s defense, which effectively neutralized the high-scoring Hoosiers, allowing them to score only their second-lowest points of the season, most of which came in the final minutes of the game. Indiana gained some early momentum after intercepting a tipped pass from Notre Dame’s quarterback, Riley Leonard, but it quickly shifted back to the Irish when they intercepted Indiana’s quarterback, Kurtis Rourke, just four plays later.
Love’s historic touchdown came on the very next play, with him outrunning the Hoosier defense for the longest run recorded in College Football Playoff history. Following that, Notre Dame extended its lead to 14-0 on an 83-yard drive capped off by a touchdown pass from Leonard to Jayden Thomas.
Notre Dame’s defense displayed dominance throughout the game, allowing only one field goal until the last moments. In total, Leonard went 23 of 32 passing for 201 yards, added a 1-yard touchdown run, and set a new record for rushing touchdowns by a Notre Dame quarterback in a season. Love also shone with 108 rushing yards on eight carries, while Jordan Faison led the team in receiving with seven catches for 89 yards.
Despite the loss, Indiana concluded a remarkable season with a school record for wins, showcasing an impressive turnaround under new head coach Curt Cignetti. They ended the season with an 11-2 record after only winning three games the previous year.
As the Irish move forward to face the No. 2 seed Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, there’s a sense of anticipation for their upcoming challenge. In an interesting twist, Georgia’s starting quarterback Carson Beck might not compete due to an elbow injury sustained in the SEC championship game, potentially giving Notre Dame an edge.
This victory not only adds to Notre Dame’s storied football history but also exemplifies the resilience and potential of both teams heading into a promising future. The match against Indiana was not merely a contest of skill but also a testimony to how hard work and strategy can bring about significant change in the landscape of college football.
The all-time series now stands in favor of Notre Dame at 24-5-1, with their last defeat to Indiana dating back to 1950. This win further solidifies their dominance in this rivalry and paves the way for an exciting postseason.