The first game of the 12-team College Football Playoff era is in the books.
Indiana was no match for Notre Dame.
The No. 7 Fighting Irish cruised to a 27-17 win over the No. 10 Hoosiers. The game was effectively over when Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love tied a school record and set a College Football Playoff record when he ran 98 yards for a TD in the first quarter.
Of course, nobody watching knew at the time that Love had ended the game. But as it went on, it became clearer and clearer that Love’s run was the great example of how the night was going to go for Indiana.
Read Nick Bromberg’s full game recap right here.
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Updated CFP bracket
CFP bracket -
Notre Dame advances to CFP quartefinals!
Notre Dame pretty thoroughly dominated Indiana despite what the final score says. The Irish advance to face Georgia in the quarterfinals. That game will be the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 in New Orleans.
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Touchdown Indiana
Yet another score for the Hoosiers on a nice throw from Kurtis Rourke to Omar Cooper Jr.
But the failed 2-point try keeps it a 2-score game.
Notre Dame 27, Indiana 17 | 25 seconds left
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Indiana recovers onside kick
Hoosiers aren’t going away! They fall on a perfectly played onside kick and get the ball right back.
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Touchdown Indiana
It won’t change the outcome, but the Hoosiers get into the end zone via Kurtis Rourke’s 7-yard pass to Myles Price. Indiana tacks on a 2-point conversion for good measure.
Notre Dame 27, Indiana 11 | 1:27 to play
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Touchdown Notre Dame!
Riley Leonard scores it on a 1-yard keeper, and now this one is REALLY over.
Notre Dame 27, Indiana 3
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Indiana punts while down 3 scores
The Hoosiers punt it away on 4th and 11 from near midfield, trailing by 17 with roughly 10:30 to play.
Curious decision there …
What analytics book tells you to punt it with 10:45 left down 20-3?
— Adam Gorney (@adamgorney) December 21, 2024
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Notre Dame FG BLOCKED
Mitch Jeter’s short attempt is blocked by James Carpenter and Indiana returns it to its own 40-yard line.
Hoosiers needed that to stay alive.
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Indiana running out of time
The Hoosiers desperately need to hold the Irish to a field goal here to stay in it. Notre Dame has the ball at the 18-yard line with 13 minutes left.
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End of 3rd: Notre Dame 20, Indiana 3
Hoosiers have 15 minutes to try to get something going and save their season. The winner will face Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.
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Another 3-and-out for Hoosiers
The offensive woes continue for Indiana, which doesn’t have a first down yet in the 2nd half.
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Notre Dame adds a FG
Mitch Jeter’s kick is good from 33 yards. The Irish extend the lead to 20-3.
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Costly penalty for Indiana
Indiana had Notre Dame stopped on 3rd and long, but Indiana’s James Carpenter hit QB Riley Leonard as he was going out of bounds. The late hit penalty gives ND a fresh set of downs.
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Indiana goes nowhere
Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke gets sacked twice, leading to a punt from the Hoosiers’ own end zone.
Great starting field position for Notre Dame.
Notre Dame’s leader in sacks, Rylie Mills, was injured in that series. That could be significant for the Irish.
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Indiana forces a punt
Notre Dame couldn’t capitalize on the big return, failing to get a first down. It’s a punt and Indiana ball just like that.
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Notre Dame starts 2nd half with a bang
The Irish ran a lateral on the opening kick return of the 2nd half, and Jordan Faison took it all the way to the Indiana 47-yard line.
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Halftime stats
Total yards:
Notre Dame – 242 (7.1 yards per play)
Indiana – 138 (4.6 ypp)
Player stats:
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Halftime: Notre Dame 17, Indiana 3
The Irish have mostly dominated on both sides of the ball. Indiana’s red zone interception looms large.
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Notre Dame adds a FG
Mitch Jeter’s 49-yarder hits and the Irish lead is back to 14 points.
Big spot for Jeter, who has battled injuries and struggled for most of the season.
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Notre Dame into IU territory
The Irish are just past midfield with 42 seconds left in the half, trying to add some points before the break.
