Jeremiyah Love made history during Friday night's College Football Playoff clash between seventh-seeded Notre Dame and tenth-seeded Indiana, leading his team to a remarkable 27-17 victory. The Irish running back stunned fans and scouts alike with his record-setting performance, highlighted by a stunning 98-yard touchdown run—a play so electrifying it sent shockwaves through Notre Dame Stadium and shattered several records.
It all began just over four minutes after kickoff when Love, nursing both a right knee injury and flu-like symptoms, took the handoff deep within his own territory. He navigated past Indiana's defense, displaying remarkable speed and agility—traits previously noted by ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller, who had tweeted before the game, "The top NFL draft prospect... isn’t even eligible until 2026. Jeremiyah Love is a baller." With defenders trailing behind, Love finished off the run for the first touchdown of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff era.
His sprint didn’t just contribute to the scoreboard; it made history. Love's run became the longest touchdown run ever recorded during the College Football Playoff, eclipsing Ezekiel Elliott's previous mark of 85 yards set back during the inaugural playoffs. This impressive feat tied him with former Notre Dame star Josh Adams for the longest run not only within the program’s history but also showcased him as just the seventh player nationwide to achieve such distance this season.
Love’s momentum not only sparked the Irish but also propelled him over the 1,000-yard milestone for the season, marking his fifth game of over 100 rushing yards. Love reflected on the moment, stating, "Being able to come to this game and do what I've got to do for this team, it was special." His performance on the field proved to be the crux of Notre Dame's game plan, illuminating his role as the leader of the Irish offense.
The circumstances surrounding Love's performance were as dramatic as the action on the field. Just days before the game, Love was still recovering from his injury and dealing with illness. Despite these odds, he showed determination, racing past defenders after first breaking through the offensive line, led by left tackle Anthonie Knapp and tight ends Eli Raridon and Cooper Flanagan.
Defensive troubles for Indiana paved the way for the touchdown, as coordinator Bryant Haines acknowledged, "You misfit it a little bit, and the thing rips you for 98 yards...that’s how small the margin for error is against elite teams." At the center of this elite performance was Love, whose ability to push through adversity didn't go unnoticed by his teammates.
Quarterback Riley Leonard expressed admiration for Love during his post-game interview, stating, "I’ve got the best view in the house. Every time I hand him the ball, I’m just watching, like, ‘What’s he going to do now?’" Leonard wore a t-shirt featuring Love's image, turning his teammate's remarkable run of success on the field to heroic proportions. With such performances at the forefront, observers argue Love is drawing attention for next year's NFL draft discussions, not just from fans and analysts but potentially from Heisman voters as well.
The victory secured Notre Dame's place in the Sugar Bowl against second-seeded Georgia, setting up another high-stakes match for the Irish. Coach Marcus Freeman remained optimistic, noting, "We wouldn’t be in this situation if we didn’t have 12 wins...I’m grateful to be part of a program and team...I’m greedy, and my focus is...on find[ing] a way to get 13. That’s what matters." The Irish now have their work cut out for them, aiming for their first 13-win season and their first national championship since 1988.
With the momentum of Love's electrifying run and Notre Dame’s steady commitment to excellence, anticipation brews for the upcoming match against the Bulldogs. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching to see if Love can replicate his success against another formidable defense. Entering 2025, the spotlight shines bright on Love, alongside the Fighting Irish, as college football enthusiasts eagerly await what the next chapter will bring.
