Notre Dame vs. Indiana: Score, live updates for College Football Playoff first round

The Fighting Irish extended their lead and again found the end zone behind Leonard’s five-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jayden Thomas to complete a 16-play, 83-yard drive.

Unable to punch it in on first down, Leonard faked the pass and found Thomas wide open in the middle of the end zone.

The 14-point deficit is the second-largest deficit Indiana has faced all season.

#CFB Riley Leonard Jayden Thomas

Notre Dame 14 | Indiana #GoIrish #Never startled pic.twitter.com/SASclyFAmW

— WB Network (@WBNetwork72) 21 December 2024

Notre Dame-Indiana’s wild start just got wilder.

In fact, wilder might be an understatement.

After Watts’ interception, running back Jeremiyah Love made the most of the opportunity, breaking away down the left sideline and winning the foot race for a 98-yard rushing touchdown on the first play of the drive. The Fighting Irish lead 7-0.

It’s the program’s longest streak since Josh Adams in 2015 against Wake Forest.

JEREMIYAH LOVE GOES 98 YARDS

12-TEAM CFP IS OFFICIALLY HERE pic.twitter.com/zCOZ2E0yWO

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) 21 December 2024

Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke’s first red zone interception couldn’t have come at a worse time.

The Hoosiers seemed to find their rhythm just four minutes into the game, intercepting Leonard and wide receiver Cedarius Doss making a stunning catch to put Indiana at the Notre Dame 17-yard line.

That’s when defensive back Xavier Watts shut down the drive, intercepting Rourke and handing his offense the ball back at the 2-yard line. It’s Watts’ sixth interception of the season.

Throwing near Xavier Watts is a mistake

pic.twitter.com/UGlfPkABPf

— PFF College (@PFF_College) 21 December 2024

The Hoosiers’ defense answered the clock early, intercepting Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard on the Fighting Irish’s first offensive possession of the game.

Attempting to connect with wideout Deion Colzie, Leonard’s pass was batted in the air by defensive lineman James Carpenter and intercepted by defensive back D’Angelo Pods.

It was Pods who was named to the All-Big Ten first team, the third interception of the year. Indiana takes over at Notre Dame’s 41-yard line.

Indiana with the early interception in Notre Dame territory.

pic.twitter.com/EslvKEfnC7

— Jasey Smith (@tennis4life13) 21 December 2024

One of college football’s most historic nights is here.

In the College Football Playoff’s first-ever 12-team tournament, Notre Dame and Indiana kick off the CFP, with more than state bragging rights at stake. The two teams will battle for a trip to the CFP’s second round and matchup with second-ranked Georgia.

Separated by just 200 miles, the Hoosiers enter the contest off the back of arguably their best season in school history. The Fighting Irish are hoping to turn their fortunes around in the CFP, currently sitting at 0-2. It is the first meeting between Indiana and Notre Dame since 1991.

What better way to kick off the 12-team College Football Playoff than a snow game.

South Bend, Indiana and Notre Dame Stadium were packed with snow this morning – an environment the tournament has never played in before.

Although the snow has eased during the day and is not forecast for game time, you can expect below 25 degree weather with cold and windy conditions.

7:00 in South Bend. cars are already lined up waiting to get on campus. a light snowfall.

Happy CFP Friday to everyone observing. pic.twitter.com/XdceIDqmPG

— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) 20 December 2024

No. 7 Notre Dame will host the No. 10 in Indiana in the first game of the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff tonight. The game will be played on Friday, December 20 at Notre Dame Stadium.

• WHEN: 8 p.m. ET on Friday, December 20
• TV: ABC/ESPN
• STREAMING: Watch ESPN

The first game of the 12-team playoff is an in-state rivalry between two 11-1 teams, as No. 7 Notre Dame will host the No. 10 Indiana on Friday, Dec. 20 at Notre Dame Stadium.

Notre Dame enters the playoffs on a 10-game winning streak, including big wins over Army and Southern Cal in their last two games, where the Irish combined for 98 points. Quarterback Riley Leonard has thrown just eight incompletions over the last two games as ND prioritizes running the football. Running back Jerimiyah Love ranks near the top of the nation with 15 rushing touchdowns on the season.

In the midst of the best season in program history, Indiana looks to keep the magic going behind first-year head coach Curt Cignetti. Transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke has led the Indiana football revolution, ranking top-10 in completion percentage and passing touchdowns. Indiana ranks second in the nation in scoring offense after a season-high 66 points in their last game.

The season’s final College Football Playoff rankings set the stage for the 2024 College Football Playoff. Here is the full top 25:

The winner of Notre Dame and Indiana advances to face Georgia No. 2 in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, 2025.

Since the College Football Playoff was established in 2014, seven teams have won a national championship. Michigan won the last version of the four-team playoff in 2023.

Here is every College Football Playoff Champion: