Notre Dame knocks off Indiana in the College Football Playoff to set up Sugar Bowl date with Georgia

On By Littum

Notre Dame is the answer to trivia forever.

The Fighting Irish became the first team to win a home College Football Playoff game with their 27-17 victory over Indiana in the first round of the new 12-team playoff.

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

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Fighting Irish in the playoffs

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

Indiana’s offense continued to struggle out of the locker room, punting on both of its third quarter drives and its first of the final quarter.

Leonard ran in for a score to make it a 27-3 Indiana lead, but the Hoosiers ended up scoring two more touchdowns. On their second, with 25 seconds left, they went for two to make it a one-possession game, but it was unsuccessful, anything but a fumble for the Irish.

CFP banner

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

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 in the first round will be played throughout Saturday.

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

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

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

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