SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish achieved a milestone by securing their first College Football Playoff victory in program history, defeating the Indiana Hoosiers 27-17 on a chilly evening at Notre Dame Stadium. Jeremiyah Love made history with a remarkable 98-yard touchdown run, tying a school record and setting the mark for the longest run in College Football Playoff history.
With this win, the seventh-seeded Irish (12-1) extended their winning streak to 11 games, showcasing an impressive performance as they stifled Indiana’s high-powered offense. The No. 10 seed Hoosiers (11-2) managed their second-lowest scoring output of the season, with most of their points coming in the final moments of the game.
Head coach Marcus Freeman celebrated the significance of this historic victory, stating, “We’re the first group to play and win a playoff game at Notre Dame Stadium, so that’s something we’ll share for the rest of our lives.”
Despite an early interception thrown by Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, the Irish quickly regained momentum when they intercepted Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke shortly after. Love’s exhilarating touchdown run put Notre Dame on the board first, and they followed it up with a lengthy 83-yard drive culminating in a touchdown pass from Leonard to Jayden Thomas, putting them ahead 14-0.
Notre Dame’s defense dominated throughout the game, conceding only a single field goal until late in the fourth quarter. Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti acknowledged Notre Dame’s prowess, indicating that his team simply could not penetrate the Irish’s formidable defense.
Looking ahead, Notre Dame will face a tough challenge against the second-seeded Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day. The Irish hope to leverage their momentum, especially as Georgia’s starting quarterback Carson Beck may be sidelined due to an elbow injury sustained in the SEC championship game.
Leonard had a solid performance, completing 23 of 32 passes for 201 yards, along with a rushing touchdown which set a new Notre Dame record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a season. Love had an impressive night, rushing for 108 yards on just eight carries. Jordan Faison also stood out, leading the Irish in receiving yards with seven catches for 89 yards.
Although Indiana’s remarkable season concludes, having set a school record for wins, there is optimism for the future. Cignetti expressed pride in the team’s accomplishments, noting the significant turnaround from previous seasons.
Overall, this historic victory not only signifies a bright future for Notre Dame as they continue their playoff journey, but it also serves as a testament to the transformative nature of perseverance in collegiate sports. The Fighting Irish are poised for a promising next step in their pursuit of a national championship.