College Football Playoff scores, results: Notre Dame handles Indiana in first game of 12-team playoff era

On By Littum

SOUTH BEND, IN - DECEMBER 20: Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman celebrates with quarterback Riley Leonard (13) after a first-half touchdown during the CFP First Round game against the Indiana Hoosiers on December 20, 2024 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman celebrates with quarterback Riley Leonard (13) after a touchdown during their win over Indiana on Friday. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

The first game of the 12-team College Football Playoff era is in the books.

Indiana was no match for Notre Dame.

No. 7 Fighting Irish cruised to a 27-17 win over No. 10 Hoosiers. The game was effectively over when Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love set a school record and set a College Football Playoff record when he ran 98 yards for a TD in the first quarter.

Of course, no one watching knew at the time that Love had finished the game. But as it went on, it became clearer and clearer that Love’s run was the prime example of how the night should go for Indiana.

Read Nick Bromberg’s full game summary right here.

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  • Updated CFP bracket

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    CFP fittings

  • Notre Dame Advances to the CFP Quarterfinals!

    Notre Dame dominated Indiana pretty thoroughly despite what the final score says. The Irish advance to face Georgia in the quarterfinals. That game will be the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 in New Orleans.

  • Touchdown Indiana

    Another score for the Hoosiers on a nice throw from Kurtis Rourke to Omar Cooper Jr.

    But the failed 2-point attempt keeps it a 2-score game.

    Notre Dame 27, Indiana 17 | 25 seconds left

  • Indiana recovers the onside kick

    Hoosiers aren’t going away! They fall on a perfectly played onside kick and get the ball back.

  • Touchdown Indiana

    It doesn’t change the score, but the Hoosiers get into the end zone on Kurtis Rourke’s 7-yard pass to Myles Price. Indiana kicks a 2-point conversion for good measure.

    Notre Dame 27, Indiana 11 | 1:27 to play

  • Touchdown Notre Dame!

    Riley Leonard scores it on a 1-yard keeper and now this one is REALLY over.

    Notre Dame 27, Indiana 3

  • Indiana points while down by 3 scores

    The Hoosiers put it away on 4th and 11 from near midfield, trailing by 17 with about 10:30 left.

    Weird decision there…

  • Notre Dame FG BLOCKED

    Mitch Jeter’s short attempt is blocked by James Carpenter and Indiana returns it to its own 40-yard line.

    The Hoosiers needed it to stay alive.

  • Indiana is running out of time

    The Hoosiers desperately need to hold the Irish to a field goal here to stay in it. Notre Dame has the ball at the 18-yard line with 13 minutes left.

  • End of 3rd: Notre Dame 20, Indiana 3

    The Hoosiers have 15 minutes to try to get something going and save their season. The winner will face Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on January 1.

  • Another 3-and-out for the Hoosiers

    The offensive woes continue for Indiana, which has yet to have a first down in the 2nd half.

  • Notre Dame adds a FG

    Mitch Jeter’s kick is good from 33 yards. The Irish increase the lead to 20-3.

  • Costly penalty for Indiana

    Indiana had Notre Dame stopped on 3rd and long, but Indiana’s James Carpenter hit QB Riley Leonard on his way out of bounds. The late hit penalty gives ND another set of downs.

  • Indiana isn’t going anywhere

    Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke is sacked twice, leading to a punt from the Hoosiers’ own end zone.

    Great starting position for Notre Dame.

    Notre Dame’s sack leader, Rylie Mills, was injured in that series. It may matter to the Irish.

  • Indiana forces a punt

    Notre Dame was unable to capitalize on the big return as it failed to get a first down. It’s just such a punt and Indiana ball.

  • Notre Dame starts the 2nd half with a bang

    The Irish ran a lateral on the opening kickoff return of the 2nd half and Jordan Faison took it all the way to the Indiana 47 yard line.

  • Halftime statistics

    Total Yards:

    Notre Dame – 242 (7.1 yards per play)

    Indiana – 138 (4.6 ypp)

    Player statistics:

    ..

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  • Halftime: Notre Dame 17, Indiana 3

    The Irish have mostly dominated on both sides of the ball. Indiana’s red zone interception looms large.

  • Notre Dame adds a FG

    Mitch Jeter’s 49-yarder hits and the Irish lead is back to 14 points.

    Big spot for Jeter, who has battled injuries and struggled for most of the season.

  • Notre Dame into IU territory

    The Irish are just past midfield with 42 seconds left in the half and are looking to add some points before the break.