On January 3, 2025, Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish secured a 23-10 victory over the Georgia Bulldogs in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, advancing to the College Football Playoff (CFP) semifinals. This win ended a streak of 10 consecutive losses in major bowl games for Notre Dame, marking a significant turnaround for the program.
A standout moment in the game was Jayden Harrison’s 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, setting a CFP record and energizing the team.
Quarterback Riley Leonard contributed 90 passing yards and a 13-yard touchdown pass to Beaux Collins, while also leading the team with 80 rushing yards.
The victory propels Notre Dame to a 13-1 record, setting up a semifinal matchup against Penn State in the Orange Bowl on January 9, 2025, in Miami.
In the aftermath, sports analyst Paul Finebaum discussed the implications of Georgia’s loss, suggesting that offensive coordinator Mike Bobo would be a focal point of criticism among Georgia fans.
For a detailed analysis of the game and its impact, you can watch Paul Finebaum’s reaction below: