Official NCAA College Football Playoff game statistics

Notre Dame Advances to Sugar Bowl After 27-17 Win Over Indiana in CFP Opener

Dec 21, 2024, 04:20 AM

Notre Dame secured a 27-17 victory over Indiana in the inaugural game of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. The seventh-seeded Fighting Irish, now 12-1, clinched their first playoff win and will advance to face second-seeded Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on January 1. Jeremiyah Love tied a Notre Dame record with a 98-yard touchdown run and finished with 108 rushing yards, while quarterback Riley Leonard contributed two more scores, including a 1-yard touchdown run that set a new Notre Dame season record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with 15. Leonard also threw for 201 passing yards. Notre Dame receiver Jordan Faison caught seven passes for 89 yards. The tenth-seeded Hoosiers, finishing the season at 11-2, were led by quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who completed 20 of 33 passes for 215 yards with two touchdowns and one interception, but they managed only 63 rushing yards. The Hoosiers scored both of their touchdowns in the final 1:27 of the game. Notre Dame's defense was pivotal, allowing Indiana only one field goal throughout the match.