SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Notre Dame Fighting Irish made a strong statement on January 1, 2024, defeating the Indiana Hoosiers 27-17. This victory marked their advancement to the semifinal round of the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, showcasing their dominance on the field and launching them toward the next challenge: the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl.
With temperatures well below freezing, the atmosphere was electric at Notre Dame Stadium. The game began with high energy, which manifested quickly after the coin toss. The Irish, seeded seventh, faced the tenth-seeded Hoosiers with the enthusiastic crowd of 77,622 on hand, ready to witness college football history. Early on, the spotlight was on two players who would go on to define the night — defensive standout Xavier Watts and explosive running back Jeremiyah Love.
Indiana entered the game as one of the highest-scoring teams, averaging over 43 points per game throughout the season. The first quarter, though, turned the expectations on their head. Just minutes after the opening kick, Watts intercepted Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke near the goal line, quelling the Hoosiers' initial offensive attempts.
Watts had become famous for his game-changing plays, and this night was no exception as he registered ten tackles and his sixth interception of the season. "Watts stopped an early Hoosier offensive threat with his sixth interception of the season... He also had a team-best 10 tackles," reported Inside ND Sports.
What followed was irrefutably one of the game's turning points. On the very next play after Watts' interception, Love launched himself onto the Notre Dame history books by sprinting for a 98-yard touchdown run — the longest touchdown run recorded by Notre Dame and setting the tone for the Irish's ensuing victory. Fans erupted as Love pierced the veil of invincibility surrounding Indiana's otherwise stout defense, which had held strong all season long. "Love pierced the veil of invincibility early with a 98-yard TD run," the report noted.
The Irish continued to dominate the game with their strategic and balanced offensive approach. Quarterback Riley Leonard demonstrated resilience, finishing with 201 passing yards and scoring one touchdown, as well as solidifying his place in the school record books with his 15th rushing touchdown. Leonard’s leadership helped the Irish control the tempo and move the ball consistently against the Hoosiers.
Despite the strong offensive presence by Notre Dame, the Hoosiers were not easily dismissed. They managed to claw back late in the game after facing significant pressure, but their tardy rally—scoring two touchdowns within the final two minutes—was not enough to overcome the deficit. Indiana's potential soared as they initiated this unexpected late-game surge, but it was dampened by their inability to convert on the subsequent two-point attempt.
Notre Dame's defense, praised throughout the game, had held Indiana to just 278 total yards, marking one of their lowest outputs of the season. The overall performance bolstered Notre Dame’s reputation as one of the most formidable defenses, especially as the postseason progressed. The Irish defense showcased their prowess, capitalizing on Hernandez's mistakes, forcing turnovers, and maintaining constant pressure on the Indiana offense.
Reflective of the game’s outcome, there was no shortage of key players rising to the occasion. Xavier Watts undoubtedly left his mark, with his interception pivotal to the game’s dynamic flow.
