- NCAA. College Football Playoff 2024-25: matchups, schedule, dates and everything you need to know
- NCAA. CFP National Championship 2025: date, start time, location and everything you need to know
It was a day Georgia Bulldogs fans would rather forget, and some believe the writing was on the wall hours before kickoff. As the Bulldogs prepared to take on Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp posted a hype video narrated by him, blending scenes of Georgia football glory with Muhammad Ali lighting the Olympic flame in 1996. His accompanying note, "In the wake of tragedy, it is the strength of community that bonds us together," sparked instant dread among fans.
One particularly prophetic fan tweeted, "Yeah Kemp on the hype video???? Irish by 60," predicting doom for the Bulldogs before the first whistle blew. While the actual score was 23-10 in favor of Notre Dame, the loss sent Georgia fans reeling, and many directed their frustration at the ill-timed political cameo.
Notre Dame's victory wasn't just symbolic; it secured the Irish a spot in the Orange Bowl against Penn State and continued their remarkable 12-game winning streak. The College Football Playoff semifinals are now set, with Notre Dame and Penn State clashing on January 9, followed by Texas and Ohio State on January 10.
The game itself was a defensive showdown early on, but Notre Dame broke it open with a decisive 17-point swing spanning the end of the first half and the beginning of the second. A critical strip-sack of Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton late in the second quarter gave Notre Dame the ball in the red zone. Riley Leonard capitalized with a touchdown to Beaux Collins, putting the Irish up 13-3 at halftime.
Notre Dame's defense dominates as Georgia falters in key moments
Momentum shifted irreversibly when Jayden Harrison returned the second-half kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, stretching Notre Dame's lead to 20-3. Georgia's offense struggled to recover, falling short on two crucial fourth-down attempts and failing to generate consistent production on the ground.
Notre Dame's defense held Georgia to just 62 rushing yards while forcing two key fumbles, living up to their ranking as the nation's fifth-best takeaway unit. Despite amassing only 244 total yards-the lowest ever in a College Football Playoff victory-the Irish controlled the game with timely plays and a stifling defense.
While the Bulldogs outgained the Irish by 52 yards and had promising moments behind Stockton's 234 ing yards, the game highlighted missed opportunities and costly mistakes. For Georgia fans, the sting of defeat wasn't just about the score-it was also about what some saw as a curse of ill-placed political fanfare.