SOUTH BEND, Ind. – In a historic matchup, Jeremiyah Love made his mark by tying a Notre Dame record with a stunning 98-yard touchdown run, leading the Fighting Irish to a 27-17 victory over Indiana in their first-ever College Football Playoff win. The game, held on a chilly Friday night at Notre Dame Stadium, saw the seventh-seeded Irish (12-1) extend their winning streak to 11 games in a remarkable performance against the second-highest scoring team in the playoffs, Indiana (11-2).
Head coach Marcus Freeman reflected on the significance of the win, 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.”
Indiana started strong with an early interception of Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, but the momentum quickly shifted. After intercepting Indiana’s quarterback Kurtis Rourke, the Irish swiftly capitalized, with Love breaking free for the record-tying run on the next play, marking the longest run in College Football Playoff history. Notre Dame extended their lead to 14-0 shortly thereafter with a 16-play drive culminating in a touchdown pass from Leonard to Jayden Thomas.
Despite the setback, Indiana’s head coach Curt Cignetti acknowledged Notre Dame’s dominance, stating that they deserved their win, while citing that his team did not perform at its best. Notre Dame’s defense was formidable, restricting Indiana’s scoring opportunities until the final moments of the game.
Looking ahead, Notre Dame will advance to face No. 2 seed Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day. There’s a sense of optimism surrounding the Irish as they prepare for this next challenge, especially given Georgia’s star quarterback Carson Beck might be sidelined due to an elbow injury.
Leonard had a strong performance, completing 23 of 32 passes for 201 yards and contributing a rushing touchdown, which set the Notre Dame record for touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season. Love also shone with 108 rushing yards on just eight carries, while Jordan Faison was the leading receiver with seven catches for 89 yards.
On the other hand, Indiana had a commendable season, setting a school record for wins. Cignetti expressed disappointment in their playoff exit but highlighted the team’s remarkable improvement from the previous year. “No one’s as disappointed as I am, but sometimes you’re going to have a disappointment and you have come back from it,” he noted.
As for their historical rivalry, Notre Dame now leads the series against Indiana with a record of 24-5-1, marking the Hoosiers’ last victory over the Irish back in 1950.
This victory not only marks a significant achievement for the Fighting Irish but also sets an encouraging tone for their upcoming challenges in the competition. The team’s resilience and talent could propel them further in the playoffs, giving fans a reason to stay hopeful.