Notre Dame routs Indiana in College Football Playoff to set up Sugar Bowl date with Georgia

Our Lady is the answer to trivia forever.

The Fighting Irish became the first team to win at home College football playoffs with a 27-17 win over Indiana in the first round of the new 12-team playoffs.

The big blow came early as Jeremiah Love rushed for a 98-yard touchdown. On Notre Dame’s next drive, Riley Leonard found Jayden Thomas to make it 14-0, and all Indiana could muster was a field goal, which immediately tied the game with the Fighting Irish.

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Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiah Love (4) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the College Football Playoff first-round game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024, in South Bend. (IMAGIN)

The Indiana forward continued to struggle out of the locker room, making both of their third quarter plays and their first in the final quarter.

Leonard ran for a score to put Indiana up 27-3, but the Hoosiers finished with two more touchdowns. On their second, with 25 seconds left, they went for a two to make it a one-possession game, but it came up short, nearly iceing the game for the Irish.

December 20, 2024; Notre Dame, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish fans during the third quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. (Matt Cashore-Imagn Images)

The Hoosiers scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late.

Leonard completed 23 of his 32 passes for 201 yards – Jordan Faison led the Irish with seven receptions for 89 yards.

The other three games of the first round will be played on Saturday.

FILE: Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiah Love (4) breaks off a 98-yard touchdown run against the Indiana Hoosiers on Dec. 20, 2024, during a first-round CFP playoff game at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (IMAGIN)

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Notre Dame now has a date with Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, which will be played in New Orleans on New Year’s Day.