In a historic night at Notre Dame Stadium, the Fighting Irish secured their first-ever College Football Playoff victory with a 27-17 win over Indiana. Jeremiyah Love made headlines by tying a school record with a stunning 98-yard touchdown run, which is also the longest run in CFP history. This achievement contributed to the Irish’s impressive 12-1 season and marked their 11th consecutive victory.
Head coach Marcus Freeman expressed the significance of the win, highlighting that this group will always be remembered as the first to win a playoff game on their home turf. After a shaky start, including an interception thrown by Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, the game quickly turned in favor of the Irish when Leonard intercepted a pass from Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke just moments later.
Notre Dame scored the first touchdown thanks to Love’s remarkable 98-yard sprint, followed by a 5-yard touchdown pass from Leonard to Jayden Thomas that showcased a 16-play drive. Indiana struggled to find their rhythm, only managing to score a field goal until late in the game.
Indiana’s head coach, Curt Cignetti, acknowledged Notre Dame’s strong performance while expressing disappointment in his team’s output despite a record-setting season for the Hoosiers. The Irish defense was particularly effective, limiting Indiana to their second-lowest score of the year and leading to a triumphant outcome.
Moving forward, Notre Dame will face off against the No. 2 seed Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day. While Georgia has historically dominated the matchup, they may be without starting quarterback Carson Beck due to an injury.
Leonard had an efficient game, completing 23 of 32 passes for 201 yards and contributing a rushing touchdown that gave him a new school record for quarterback rushing touchdowns in a season. Love’s performance rounded out with 108 yards from eight carries, and Jordan Faison led the receiving corps with seven catches for 89 yards.
As Indiana reflects on their impressive turnaround season under Cignetti, the future appears bright for both teams. The Hoosiers had previously endured a difficult three seasons, and this year’s achievements have set a foundation for growth moving forward.
In summary, the Irish’s victory on a chilly December night not only solidifies their place in college football history but also sets the stage for an exciting matchup against an esteemed opponent in the playoffs. The hopeful spirit surrounding both Notre Dame and Indiana as they look to build on this season is inspiring for fans and players alike.