Notre Dame utilized contributions from all three phases to grind out a program-defining 23-10 playoff victory over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Coach Marcus Freeman and his staff called an aggressive and truly outstanding game. The Fighting Irish were fearless throughout the evening against a physically gifted team that usually punishes opponents. A 17-point scoring burst in 54 seconds of action gave Notre Dame a 20-3 cushion early in the third quarter. Although Georgia refused to quit, the Irish defense stayed strong. At the same time, Riley Leonard and the offense made several gritty plays to seal the win.

Defense dominated early as both teams jabbed like heavyweight boxers. Georgia put together a promising drive but Adon Shuler dislodged the ball from tailback Trevor Etienne on third down. Jaiden Ausberry recovered for the Irish to end the threat. As the game moved into the second period, Quarterback Gunnar Stockton hit Arian Smith on a deep pass. Instead of getting the ball on the Irish 11-yard line, a penalty moved it back 15 yards. A player on the Georgia sideline had interfered with an official who was covering the pass play.

This mistake proved costly as the Dawgs had to settle for a Peyton Woodring field goal for a 3-0 lead. Leonard finally got the Irish offense moving on the ensuing series. His 32-yard run set up a tying field goal by Mitch Jeter from 44 yards.

Later in the period, Leonard led another march that stalled after a sack by Smael Mondon. Jeter again came on and drilled a 48-yarder for a 6-3 lead. Although only 38 seconds remained in the half, Coach Kirby Smart wanted to even the score. Stockton dropped back to pass but Irish end RJ Oben beat his man and knocked the ball free. Junior Tuihalamaka fell on it at the Georgia 13-yard line.

Leonard needed only one play-action pass to Beaux Collins in the end zone for a 13-3 halftime advantage. The well-conceived fake surprised the Dawgs and gave Notre Dame a boost into the locker room.

Coach Freeman insisted that his team needed to remain in attack mode despite holding a ten-point lead. He wasn’t kidding. Fittingly, Jayden Harrison took the second half kickoff for a 98-yard ride to paydirt and a 20-3 edge. Nearly 30 minutes remained, however, and everyone knew the Dawgs were not going to quit.

Following an exchange of punts, Georgia scored on a four-play drive that included a dropped pass. Stockton hit Cash Jones on textbook wheel route for a 32-yard score. This march proved how dangerous the Dawgs could be and quickly brought euphoric Irish fans back to earth.

The next sequence of plays defined the outcome for both sides. Notre Dame moved the ball to midfield. Leonard failed on a fourth down and one carry when a lineman whiffed on a block. Georgia now had momentum but immediately faced its own fourth down decision. After procedural penalties on both teams, the Irish blitz forced a Stockton pass that went nowhere.

Notre Dame took over as the battle moved into the fourth quarter. Jeter made it three for three from over 40 yards with another field goal to make it 23-10. With 13:47 left, the Dawgs offense finally made headway. Nate Frazier’s 28-yard run and a pass interference penalty on Jack Kiser moved them into the red zone. Once again, the Irish defense stiffened. A fourth down pass from Stockton sailed over the head of Lawson Luckie. at the goal line.

Notre Dame took over deep in its own territory with over nine minutes remaining. Another critical fourth down decision arose immediately on the ensuing series. With the ball at his own 18, Freeman initially sent his punt team onto the field. Suddenly, the Irish offense came back out as the Georgia defense scrambled to counter. The Dawgs were unsettled as Leonard used a hard count to draw them offsides. The resultant first down allowed Notre Dame to hold onto the ball for over five more precious minutes. Leonard’s gutsy third down runs kept the chains moving and the clock ticking.

Coach Kirby Smart had to burn his timeouts as the Irish played keep away. When the Dawgs finally got the ball, there was only 1:49 remaining. Notre Dame’s Donovan Hinish ended Georgia’s season moments later with a fourth down sack of Stockton. The Irish coaches, players, and long-suffering fans finally reveled in a cathartic victory after decades of disappointment.

Let’s review the answers to our pregame questions:

• Can Notre Dame establish Love and Price in the running game? The pair picked up some tough yards but it was Leonard who had the most success on the ground.
• Will the injury-plagued and relatively small Irish defensive front get steamrolled by the Dawgs? No, and this was the most significant outcome in the contest. Notre Dame had four sacks and held Georgia to 62 yards rushing on 29 carries. An incredible performance.
• Which quarterback will make the most of his running ability? Leonard was a difference-maker tonight.
• Will the Irish secondary be able to contain the Dawg tight end trio? This group caught two total passes for 18 yards, Other Georgia receivers made a few plays but the Irish stayed strong.
• Can the Irish receivers gain separation against the Georgia secondary? Jordan Faison was the best receiver for Notre Dame. Collins and Mitch Evans caught balls but the Irish were limited to 90 yards passing.
• Will Notre Dame’s multiple blitzes and coverages cause Stockton to make mistakes? Stockton played well considering the pressure he faced. Ultimately, the sacks rather than poor reads or bad throws did him in.
• Can Mitch Jeter match the consistency and range of Peyton Woodring? Jeter was the unsung hero for Notre Dame. His performance after a rough season was as inspiring as it was timely.
• Will Georgia’s blue-chip talent play up to their potential? Their offensive line did not dominate as expected. Linebacker Jalon Walker is a force, though. If your favorite NFL team is smart enough to draft him in April, you should be happy.

An interesting footnote regarding this game deserves mention. Players who transferred into Notre Dame during the offseason scored all 23 points tonight. Jeter accounted for 11, while Collins and Harrison had six each. Leonard threw the pass to Collins and Oben’s strip-sack set up that score. Fans have justifiable misgivings about the entire portal process but it worked out for the Irish tonight. Notre Dame gained only 244 yards in offense but held the Dawgs to 296. Turnovers and sacks were also critical. Georgia committed two costly turnovers and surrendered four sacks to none and one for the Irish.

Notre Dame has exactly one week to prepare for the playoff semifinal game in Miami against Penn State. Concern exists since Howard Cross, Xavier Watts and Jeremiyah Love spent time in the injury tent. Initial reports indicate no serious issues. It goes without saying that the Irish will need them next week. This victory also masked several mistakes in terms of careless penalties. If Notre Dame hopes to advance further in this postseason, they must ensure those errors are not repeated.