South Bend, Indiana. All of those significant losses taught Marcus Freeman both the hard and the unexplainable lessons.
With snowflakes flying and players chanting the school’s alma mater, the Notre Dame coach celebrated the most important victory of his career at Notre Dame Stadium on Friday night, the first game of college football’s new playoff era.
Seventh-seeded Notre Dame defeated the Hoosiers 27–17 in their first-ever playoff game thanks to a 98-yard touchdown run by Jeremiyah Love on the Irish’s third play of the game, two more scores from Riley Leonard, and a high-scoring Indiana check.
You don’t do something for the first time very often in your life, do you? “Freeman said.” We will always remember the fact that we were the first team to play and win a postseason game at Notre Dame Stadium.
He and the Irish (12-1) have a day or two to celebrate their first in four playoff attempts and their 11th straight victory, which ties the school record for most wins in a season.
However, it’s just a first step. Georgia (11-2), the SEC champion, will play next in the Sugar Bowl and have an opportunity to go to the semifinals as they look to win their first national championship since 1988.
Leonard, who rushed for one record-breaking score and threw for another, said, “It’s really cool, but at the same time it’s another football game.” Because we enjoy playing the game, getting ready for it, and representing this university, all we’re aiming to do is survive and play as many games as we can.
The Irish might snap the program’s longest title drought since their first claimed championship in 1924 if they perform as well as they did against 10th-seeded Indiana (11-2).
Despite giving up 14 points in the final 87 seconds in the same stadium where they almost had their season terminated on September 7 with a 16-14 loss to Northern Illinois, Notre Dame swiftly took control with to Love’s amazing early burst and ultimately ended the Hoosiers’ extraordinary season.
They gave the Hoosiers their second straight defeat to a top five opponent this season, leaving no room for doubt on a cold, windy platform for the first-ever CFP game held on campus. Despite setting a school record most wins in a single season, Indiana hasn’t triumphed against Notre Dame since 1898.
They brought it to us. According to Hoosiers coach and AP Coach of the Year Curt Cignetti, “I thought their quarterback played really well, and I thought their defense suffocated our offense until the last 1:50 or whatever.” They deserved to win, so they did. They were mostly responsible for our poor performance tonight.
Kurtis Rourke’s ball was intercepted by Xavier Watts at the Irish 2.
Love made it 7-0 on the following play by scuffing around the right side of the defenders, avoiding a tackle, and running down the sideline. In 2015 against Wake Forest, he tied Josh Adams for the longest run in Irish history. Additionally, it was CFP’s longest run ever.
Despite not being at full strength and seemingly reinjuring his left knee later in the first half, Love finished with eight carries for 108 yards.
“He wasn’t going to catch me,” Love replied as I glanced up at the video board.
Early in the second quarter, Notre Dame made it 14-0, and Indiana never bounced back. Leonard broke Notre Dame’s season quarterback record with a 1-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter, giving him 15 this season.
With 201 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, Leonard finished 23 of 32. Jordan Faison, a receiver for Notre Dame, hauled in seven passes for 89 yards.
Kurtis Rourke, the quarterback for Indiana, had another subpar game against a formidable defense. He finished 20 of 33 with 215 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, while the Hoosiers only managed 63 yards of rush offense.
It was also more than a relief for Notre Dame and Freeman. It was time to celebrate the win.
“No place is like Notre Dame,” Leonard remarked. You came here for this reason, while I came here to compete for a (national) championship.
KEY LESSONS
Indiana: Entering the playoffs, the Hoosiers had the best scoring team and trailed fewer minutes than any other FBS team this season. Against a formidable Irish defense that shook Rourke early on Friday night, they failed to do either.
Notre Dame: The Irish won their first-ever playoff game because to their defense and running game, which they have relied on throughout the season. To win their first national title since 1988, they might need to improve their passing game.
Just one message
After the season-ending defeat, Cignetti briefly strayed from his direct style to highlight how unique this season was for an Indiana club that re-entered the national discourse.
Nobody is as disappointed as I am, but occasionally you will experience disappointment and you will overcome it, he said. No other Indiana squad was able to accomplish what this team did.
UPCOMING
Indiana: Under coach Curt Cignetti, they will strive to duplicate what they established in Year 1 over the hectic summer.
On New Year’s Day, Notre Dame takes on Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
Written by AP Sports Writer Michael Marot
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