South Bend Indiana– In a game that marked the first on-campus matchup in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff era, No. 7 seeded Notre Dame upended No. 10 seeded Indiana. The Fighting Irish advanced in the playoffs with a final score of 27-17 on Friday night at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame stadium was rocking from the beginning and the Irish did not disappoint.

Highlights:

The game kicked off with a dramatic tone as both teams exchanged interceptions in their first drives, but it was Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love who electrified the crowd with a 98-yard touchdown run, tying the school record and setting a CFP record. This play seemed to set the tone for the rest of the contest, as Notre Dame’s defense shutdown Indiana’s typically explosive offense for much of the game.

Notre Dame’s quarterback Riley Leonard, rebounding from an early interception, threw for 201 yards and a touchdown, while also contributing on the ground with a touchdown run. The Fighting Irish’s ground game was particularly effective, amassing 193 rushing yards against one of the best run defenses in the country.

Indiana struggled to find their rhythm, especially in the first half, where they were limited to just three points. Their offense, led by Kurtis Rourke, only managed to move the ball well in the final minutes when the game was all but decided.

Game Key Stats

• Notre Dame Fighting Irish:
• Passing: Riley Leonard, 23/35 for 201 yards, 1 touchdown
• Rushing: Jeremiyah Love, 8 carries for 108 yards, 1 touchdown; Jadarian Price, 11 carries for 36 yards; Riley Leonard, 5 carries for 23 yards, 1 touchdown
• Receiving: Jordan Faison, 7 receptions for 78 yards
• Total Yards: 394
• Indiana Hoosiers:
• Passing: Kurtis Rourke, 20/33 for 215 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
• Rushing: Justice Ellison, 10 carries for 33 yards
• Receiving: Omar Cooper, 5 receptions for 75 yards, 1 touchdown
• Total Yards: 278

Coaches’ Comments

• Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame: After the game, Freeman emphasized the historic nature of the win, stating, “There’s not many times in your life that you’re the first to do something, right? We were 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.”
• Curt Cignetti, Indiana: Cignetti acknowledged Notre Dame’s dominant performance saying, “They pretty much suffocated our offense until the last minute and a half of the game.” He commended his team’s effort throughout the season but admitted they were outplayed in this critical matchup. Cignetti also noted the game’s significance in terms of setting the tone for future Indiana teams to build on.

Looking Ahead for ND

With this victory, Notre Dame advances to face No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, aiming to continue their quest for a national title. For Indiana, while the season ends with a playoff appearance, the focus will soon shift towards building on this unexpected success in the coming years. Indiana had success with the transfer portal this season and will surely look to continue that trend.

Photos courtesy of CBS, AP, ESPN, SI, Yahoo Sports, NBC, and the NCAA. 

“Cowboy Regg” – Co-Host of the “Sons of the Star” Podcast. The podcast is available on Apple, YouTube, and Spotify. 

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