Freeman and Notre Dame Handle ‘Tough Moments’ and Oust Georgia From CFP With 23–10 Win in Sugar Bowl

Freeman and Notre Dame Handle ‘Tough Moments’ and Oust Georgia From CFP With 23–10 Win in Sugar Bowl
Notre Dame players celebrate after quarterfinal game against Georgia in a College Football Playoff in New Orleans on Jan. 2, 2025. Gerald Herbert/AP Photo
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NEW ORLEANS—Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish found the right balance of family and football to produce a memorable performance under unprecedented, emotionally trying circumstances.

Riley Leonard passed for a touchdown, Jayden Harrison returned a kickoff 98 yards for a score, and Notre Dame’s defense made it hold up in a 23-10 victory over No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday that sent the third-ranked Fighting Irish into the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.