The first round of the College Football Playoffs begins

Notre Dame secured a decisive victory over Indiana, defeating the Hoosiers 27-17 in the opening game of the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff on Friday night in South Bend, Indiana.

The game, back-to-back for the first time since 1991, started Friday night after the South Bend area received about two inches snow earlier in the day, sets up a chilly affair.

The game started on a chaotic note, with both teams throwing interceptions on their opening drives. Fighting Irish no. However, 7 quickly regained their footing and took control with a record-setting play early in the first quarter.

Pinned down at their own two-yard line, sophomore running back Jeremiah Love ignited the Notre Dame Stadium crowd with an electric 98-yard touchdown run. Lawen took the pass in the end zone and broke through the left side and sprinted past the secondary, giving Notre Dame a 7-0 lead and setting the tone early.

The spectacular run was the longest in College Football Playoff history and tied the record for the longest total run in school history.

Notre Dame’s dominance continued throughout the game, and the school now moves on to play No. 2 seed Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana.

You can read the full match report here.