It’s wild how a game can flip on its head in just a few moments. Notre Dame vs. Indiana, the first round of the College Football Playoff, kicked off with enough chaos to keep everyone glued to their seats. Spoiler alert: Notre Dame came out swinging. Let’s break it all down, quarter by quarter.
The First Quarter: A Tale of Two Turnovers
We barely had time to settle in before the madness started. Notre Dame’s defense came out guns blazing with a three-and-out to set the tone. But just when you thought Indiana was going to roll over, they reminded everyone why they’re here. Riley Leonard’s first pass was deflected at the line and intercepted by D’Angelo Ponds. Momentum shift? Not so fast.
Indiana was sniffing the end zone, ready to draw first blood, but Xavier Watts had other plans. He picked off Kurtis Rourke near the goal line, flipping the script faster than you could say “touchdown.”
And then came the play. Jeremiyah Love, backed up against the wall at Notre Dame’s 2-yard line, ripped off a 98-yard touchdown run on the first snap. It was the kind of play that makes you yell, “Did that really just happen?” Yup, it did. The Irish were up 7-0, and you could feel the energy shift in the stadium.
Indiana tried to respond with a solid drive, but the Irish defense held firm. By the end of the first 15 minutes, Notre Dame was already knocking on the door again, ready to extend their lead.
Second Quarter: Irish Flex Their Muscle
Notre Dame wasted no time finishing what they started. Riley Leonard connected with Jayden Thomas for a 5-yard touchdown to cap off that first-quarter drive. Just like that, it was 14-0, and the Irish were in full control.
But Indiana wasn’t done yet. They put together a decent drive, led by Kurtis Rourke, who started finding his rhythm with some clutch completions. They finally made it into the red zone, but Notre Dame’s defense slammed the brakes. Fourth-and-4 at the 16? Time to bring out Nicolas Radicic, who nailed a 34-yard field goal to put Indiana on the board. Progress, sure, but it still felt like a moral victory for the Irish defense.
With just under two minutes left in the half, Notre Dame got the ball back, and let’s just say they weren’t content with their lead. Riley Leonard orchestrated a quick drive that landed the Irish at Indiana’s 31-yard line. Enter Mitch Jeter, who coolly drilled a 49-yard field goal with seven seconds left on the clock. A dagger? Maybe not yet, but it sure felt like one.
Key Plays That Stood Out
- Jeremiyah Love’s 98-Yard TD Run: This wasn’t just a highlight; it was a game-changer. Tied a program record and put the Irish firmly in control.
- Xavier Watts’ Interception: Talk about clutch. Just when Indiana was ready to score, Watts slammed the door shut.
- Leonard-to-Thomas Connection: That 5-yard touchdown was the exclamation point on a methodical drive, showcasing Leonard’s poise under pressure.
The Numbers Game
| Stat | Notre Dame | Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 223 | 157 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 2/2 | 1/2 |
| Time of Possession | 17:12 | 12:48 |
Notre Dame heads into the second half with a 17-3 lead and all the momentum in the world. Sure, Indiana’s got fight in them, but the Irish have shown they can shut things down defensively while delivering explosive plays offensively.
If Notre Dame keeps this up, they’ll be packing their bags for New Orleans and a date with Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Can Indiana claw their way back? Maybe. But if the first half taught us anything, it’s that the Irish aren’t here to mess around.
Notre Dame’s defense and that monster 98-yard TD run weren’t just game highlights—they were statements. The Irish look ready for whatever comes next.
P.S. I spilled my coffee during Love’s touchdown. Worth it.
