In what may be the biggest win in program history, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish knocked off the Georgia Bulldogs 23-10 to win the Sugar Bowl and advance to the next round of the College Football Playoffs. It’s the first time they won a New Year Six Bowl in Fighting Irish history. This win also breaks the Irish 31-year drought of not winning a major bowl game. Sure The Irish have won bowl games, however, these have been the smaller bowl games. Not the ones that are marquee events.
This sheds the narrative that Notre Dame can’t win a big game. During that 31-year drought, everyone talked about how Notre Dame was the most overrated team in the country. They’re fine when playing their schedule, but on a national stage, they can’t compete. Their performance on the national stage only helped that argument. Even the most optimistic Notre Dame fan probably felt they were going to lose to Georiga.
However, that narrative is now dead. That’s an outdated take and applies more to Brian Kelly than it does to Notre Dame. Look at what the two have done since Kelly left for LSU. This win signals that the Marcus Freeman era is going to be different. That the Irish are going to be able to compete with the best teams in the country. Here are the major takeaways.
Notre Dame Defense Gave the Team Momentum
Notre Dame has had arguably the most defense in the country. They were the second in scoring defense with only Ohio State giving up fewer points. Now although Irish fans knew how good this defense was, the national media wasn’t as sure. They knew they were good, but didn’t think they could stop some of the best offenses in the country. Or be able to win a game by themselves and make up for the offense short comings.
However, it was Notre Dame’s defense that threw the momentum in the Irish favor. In the final minute of the first half, the Irish defense made the play of the game. Georiga had the ball on their 25-yard line. RJ Oben was able to get to Gunner Stocken for a 12-yard loss. However, Stocken lost the football and was recovered by Notre Dame at Georgia’s 13-yard line. On the next play, the Irish scored extending the lead to 13-3 right before halftime.
That play swung momentum in the Irish favor, and they never gave it back. Without that fumble recovery who knows how the rest of the game goes? The Irish only had a three-point lead at that point. There’s a world where Georiga gets a quick score before the half. Or they make a stop instead of allowing the kickoff return. Either of those would’ve swung momentum back to the Bulldogs. However, the defense stepping up put them in a position to put the game out of reach.
Riley Leonard Is A Gamer
Lots of people, including myself, owe Riley Leonard a huge apology. After the loss to NIU almost every Notre Dame fan was ready to give up on Leonard. Saying that all the hype he received in the transfer portal was overblown. Even after rebounding and putting in a respectable season the national media still doubted Leonard’s ability to play and be able to defeat some of the best schools in the country.
However, with his play over the past few games, he deserves everyone’s respect. Look at what he did in the Sugar Bowl. Sure his passing stats weren’t impressive going 15/24 for 90 yards and one touchdown. However, his main impact in this game was his legs. On 14 carries he had 80 yards with a long of 32 yards. Anytime the Irish needed a first down he put everything on the line to move the chains.
Leonard has the personality everyone wants in their quarterback. Sure he might have the ability to throw the ball 50 yards down the field for a quick score. However, he’s going to do everything in his power to put you in a position to win. Whether that be a simple five-yard pass or leaping over defenders he’s going to give it his all.
Brian Germinaro is a sportswriter for Belly Up Sports. Follow him on Twitter/X for more sports coverage and Belly Up Sports for even more college football content. Feature image credit: Sean Gardner.
