Notre Dame football star Jeremiyah Love’s 98-yard TD vs. Indiana has fans going bonkers
The University of Notre Dame football team (12-1) made history on Friday evening, becoming the first college football program to win a College Football Playoff game on its home field, defeating Indiana (11-2) 27-17 at Notre Dame Stadium.
From start to finish, the Fighting Irish dominated, holding Indiana to just three points in the first half and limiting the Hoosiers to only 63 total rushing yards. Notre Dame built a commanding 27-3 lead before Indiana added two late touchdowns in garbage time to make the final score 27-17.
Key plays from two of Notre Dame’s standout performers helped secure the victory. Senior Consensus All-American safety Xavier Watts intercepted a pass in the end zone to thwart an Indiana scoring drive, and on the very next play, running back Jeremiyah Love took off for a stunning 98-yard touchdown run.
Quarterback Riley Leonard was solid throughout, completing 22 of 32 passes for 201 yards, one passing touchdown, and one rushing touchdown. His top target was wide receiver Jordan Faison, who caught seven passes for 89 yards. With the win, Notre Dame advances to face No. 2 seed Georgia in the 2025 Sugar Bowl on January 1st in New Orleans.
The game began with a flurry of action. Notre Dame’s defense forced Indiana into a quick three-and-out on the opening possession, but the Hoosiers responded swiftly by intercepting a deflected pass on Notre Dame’s second offensive play, giving them the ball at the Irish 48-yard line.
Indiana quickly moved into the red zone, but the Irish defense held strong. On third-and-long, Indiana’s quarterback Kurtis Rourke overthrew his target, and Xavier Watts capitalized by intercepting his 13th career pass at the two-yard line.
After a brief media timeout, the mood at Notre Dame Stadium shifted dramatically. On the first play after the turnover, Love took a handoff, sprinted through the left side of the Irish line, and outran the entire Indiana defense for a breathtaking 98-yard touchdown run.
Indiana responded with two first downs on their next drive, but Notre Dame’s defense tightened up again, as cornerback Leonard Moore broke up a pass on third-and-long to force a Hoosier punt.
The Irish offense then put together a historic 16-play drive, the longest in College Football Playoff history by number of plays. Beaux Collins and freshman Aneyas Williams came up big on third downs, while Jadarian Price broke off a 20-yard run behind strong blocking from Anthonie Knapp and Eli Raridon. The drive culminated in a seven-yard touchdown pass from Leonard to Jayden Thomas, giving Notre Dame a 14-0 lead.
Indiana got on the board late in the first half with a 34-yard field goal, aided by a defensive holding penalty on Notre Dame. The Hoosiers made a few big plays, but linebacker Jaiden Ausberry made a crucial stop on third down to force the field goal attempt.
Notre Dame answered with a field goal of its own before the half. Faison’s diving catch on third down kept the drive alive, and Leonard scrambled for two key first downs. After three straight plays to Williams, including a 12-yard run and a five-yard catch, Mitch Jeter hit a 49-yard field goal to extend Notre Dame’s lead to 17-3 as time expired in the first half.
The second half opened with a strong return from Notre Dame’s special teams, as Jayden Harrison lateraled the ball to Faison, who scampered for a 48-yard return to give the Irish great field position. However, the offense could not capitalize, and the Irish had to punt.
On the ensuing drive, defensive lineman Rylie Mills sacked Indiana’s quarterback on the first play, sending the Hoosiers deep into their own territory. Though Mills was injured on the play, freshman Bryce Young stepped up with another sack to force a punt.
Notre Dame took over at the 43-yard line and advanced to the four-yard line, but a late hit out of bounds on Indiana gave them a fresh set of downs. The Irish settled for a 33-yard field goal from Jeter to extend their lead to 20-3.
Indiana’s offense could not gain any traction, as Notre Dame’s defense continued to dominate. On the Hoosiers’ next drive, Young and linebacker Drayk Bowen combined for another sack and a pressured throw, forcing Indiana into a quick three-and-out.
Notre Dame pushed the ball to the 23-yard line on the next drive, but Jeter’s third field goal attempt of the game was blocked by Indiana, and the Hoosiers returned it to the 40-yard line.
But once again, the Irish defense stood tall. Indiana earned one first down but was quickly stymied by a pass breakup from Adon Shuler and another sack from Young, forcing another punt.
On Notre Dame’s next possession, Faison caught a pass over the middle to keep the chains moving, and Leonard scrambled for another first down to put the Irish in Indiana territory. Leonard then found Faison on a big catch, setting up first-and-goal. On the very next play, Leonard walked in for a one-yard touchdown to push the Irish lead to 27-3.
Indiana added two meaningless touchdowns in the final minutes, but the outcome had long been decided. Notre Dame’s 27-17 victory marked the first-ever College Football Playoff game held on a campus site, and the Irish will now look ahead to their upcoming showdown with Georgia in the 2025 Sugar Bowl.
