Jeremiyah Love’s 98-yard scoring run jump-started Notre Dame and the Fighting Irish built a 27-3 lead on the way to a 27-17 playoff victory. Riley Leonard passed for one touchdown and ran for another while kicker Mitch Jeter added a pair of field goals. Defensively, Notre Dame dominated the contest until they relaxed in last five minutes when Indiana scored twice. The victory sends the Irish to the Sugar Bowl to face Georgia on New Year’s Day.
A raucous home crowd rocked the stadium at the opening kickoff. Unsurprisingly, both teams got off to a shaky start. Indiana’s first possession was a quick three and out, while Leonard’s first pass was tipped and intercepted.