Notre Dame made history on Friday night by securing its first College Football Playoff victory, defeating Indiana 27-17 at Notre Dame Stadium. The Fighting Irish, ranked No. 7, dominated the game from opening kickoff to final whistle, marking their first playoff win during their third trip to the CFP.
Under the guidance of head coach Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame (12-1) showed formidable strength on both sides of the ball, outgaining Indiana (11-2) 394 to 278 and effectively shutting down its potent offense. The victory positions Notre Dame to face No. 2 Georgia on Jan. 1 during the Sugar Bowl as part of the CFP quarterfinals.
The game began with both teams trading interceptions, but it quickly turned when the Irish made their mark. Jeremiyah Love electrified the crowd with a jaw-dropping 98-yard touchdown run, the longest play of its kind ever recorded in CFP history, surpassing the previous record held by Ezekiel Elliott.
Following Love’s remarkable run, quarterback Riley Leonard continued the offensive onslaught, completing 23 of 32 passes for 201 yards alongside one passing touchdown and another on the ground. His first scoring pass connected with Jayden Thomas, extending their lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter.
After Indiana managed to put points on the board with a field goal, Notre Dame remained relentless, adding another field goal just before halftime for a 17-3 lead. The Irish continued to pile on the score with Leonard's rushing touchdown, his 15th of the season, setting the record for most rushing touchdowns by any Notre Dame quarterback.
"It was all about finding ways to get another week," stated Coach Freeman post-game, highlighting the team's performance. Love, who tallied 126 total yards on just eight carries, echoed the sentiment, saying, "There’s no place like Notre Dame. This is why you come here—to play for championships."
Despite trailing for the first time this season, Indiana, led by quarterback Kurtis Rourke, clawed back with two late touchdowns, but it was too little, too late. Rourke completed 20 of 33 passes for 215 yards and two touchdowns, but his performance was overshadowed by Notre Dame's staunch defense.
"They took it to us tonight," lamented Indiana's Coach Curt Cignetti. "We didn’t play our best game, but they had a lot to do with our struggles. All good things come to an end, and we set the foundation for hopefully what's to come." Indiana's strong season still left them with historical achievements, including eight Big Ten wins and eleven total victories, the most they have ever recorded.
Key players for Notre Dame, besides Leonard and Love, included receiver Jordan Faison, who caught seven passes for 89 yards. His contributions were instrumental to maintaining the momentum throughout the game.
Looking ahead, both teams have significant paths carved out for the next part of their college football journeys. Notre Dame has set its eyes on the upcoming challenge against Georgia, aiming to leverage their defensive skills and explosive offense to continue their playoff run.
"We will enjoy this win and prepare for another one," Freeman asserted, hinting at the readiness of his squad for more challenges as they seek their first national title since 1988.
This highly competitive matchup not only showcased Notre Dame's capabilities but also emphasized the growth prospects for Indiana under Cignetti's leadership. Their performance throughout the season has instilled hope for future successes, with the groundwork laid to build upon their recent achievements.
Friday night’s victory not only relishes historical significance for the Fighting Irish but also injects excitement for fans as they prepare for the Sugar Bowl and the rest of the playoffs. The narrative of fighting through adversity and rising to the occasion is one deeply woven within the fabric of college football, and Notre Dame plans to continue writing theirs with determination and skill.
Overall, this fascinating contest between two teams at the peak of their game culminated with the Irish taking the victory—a fitting conclusion to the first on-campus College Football Playoff game.
