No. 7 Notre Dame delivered a stunning upset Thursday, defeating No. 2 Georgia 23-10 in the Sugar Bowl, a result that ended the Bulldogs’ national championship aspirations. The victory was a significant achievement for Marcus Freeman, solidifying his position as Notre Dame’s head coach and shaking up the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff.
The game, delayed by a day due to a tragic terror incident in New Orleans, was emotionally charged. Both teams struggled offensively, with neither surpassing 300 total yards. However, Notre Dame capitalized on crucial opportunities to secure the win over Kirby Smart’s Georgia squad.
One critical moment occurred late in the first half when Georgia’s aggressive play-calling led to a mistake that allowed Notre Dame to increase its lead. This sequence of events shifted the momentum firmly in the Fighting Irish’s favor.
Key Moments in the Game
Notre Dame’s decisive victory was built on a series of pivotal plays. Leading 13-3, the Irish broke the game open during a 54-second span that bridged the second and third quarters, during which they scored 17 points. The highlights included:
Mitch Jeter’s 48-yard field goal: This gave Notre Dame an early 6-3 lead.
A defensive stand: Junior Tuihalamaka recovered a fumble after RJ Owen sacked Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton.
Riley Leonard’s touchdown pass: Leonard connected with Beaux Collins to widen the lead.
Jayden Harrison’s kickoff return: Just 15 seconds into the third quarter, Harrison electrified the crowd with a 98-yard return for a touchdown.
The Fighting Irish defense dominated, thwarting Georgia’s fourth-down attempts and maintaining relentless pressure. Notre Dame’s performance highlighted their readiness for the postseason and cemented their place as a force in college football.
Reactions and Criticism
Fans took to social media to criticize Georgia’s performance and Kirby Smart’s coaching decisions. Some blamed his reliance on younger players and questioned his adaptability in high-stakes games. Others pointed to Georgia’s failure to execute under pressure as a sign of overconfidence and strategic shortcomings.
Looking Ahead
With this win, Notre Dame advances to the Orange Bowl, where they will face No. 6 Penn State on Jan. 9. The winner of that matchup will earn a spot in the national championship game. Meanwhile, Georgia will face questions about their strategy and approach as they look to
rebound in the future.