Every time Notre Dame takes part in something historic, the significance of that something seems to increase. Such was the case in their 27-17 win over Indiana, which served as the first College Football Playoff game in history to take place on a campus. What better place to kick off this new playoff era than Notre Dame Stadium?
Before the Irish focus too much on playing Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, they should take a little time to reflect on what they just did. They shined under the brightest lights their historic stadium has ever seen, and it happened when they were fortunate enough to be the ones to break new ground in the playoff. The memories and images that came with this game will live in their minds forever and rightfully so.
In case anyone on the Irish actually wants to relive this evening now or in the future, we’ve provided a photo gallery they can view for their enjoyment. But you, the fans, most likely will get first dibs, so here it is:
The fourth quarter of the first-round College Football Playoff game between Notre Dame and Indiana mostly was uneventful. That’s in part because the Irish had this game in the bag well before it got underway. All that was left to do really was wait for the clock to hit zero and let the Irish enjoy their 27-17 win.
The quarter wasn’t completely devoid of action though. [autotag]Mitch Jeter[/autotag] had a 37-yard field goal blocked, but the Hoosiers did nothing with that. [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] responded by directing a 78-yard drive that featured a 44-yard completion to [autotag]Jordan Faison[/autotag] that came up just short of the end zone. Leonard ran it in himself two plays later for his 15th rushing touchdown this season, an Irish quarterback record.
The Hoosiers came alive after the two-minute timeout when Kurtis Rourke fired a 7-yard touchdown pass to Myles Price and then completing a two-point conversion pass. They then recovered an onside kick, and Rourke led another scoring drive, this one via a 23-yard touchdown pass to Omar Cooper Jr. The late surge came too late to make a difference though.
Having ended the Hoosiers’ dream season, the Irish now turn their attention to the Sugar Bowl, where Georgia awaits them. With just under two weeks to recover and prepare, we’ll find out plenty about this team come New Year’s Day.
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Notre Dame began the second quarter against Indiana by concluding a successful drive that originated in the first. Specifically, [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to [autotag]Jayden Thomas[/autotag], giving the Irish a 14-0 lead in the first round of the College Football Playoff.
The teams then showcased their respective defensive strengths, forcing punts on back-to-back possessions. That was followed by Kurtis Rourke completing a couple of first-down passes to get the Hoosiers into the red zone for their best scoring chance yet.
The Irish’s defense didn’t let the Hoosiers get too far into the red zone though and forced a fourth-and-4 at the 16. The Hoosiers’ offense lined up as if they were going for it, but after a timeout, Nicolas Radicic came out to kick a 34-yard field goal instead and get the team on the board.
The Irish’s offense then came out to try and make the Hoosiers pay for taking what for all intents and purposes an inconsequential route. The half’s final drive brought the offense to the Hoosiers’ 31-yard line, and [autotag]Mitch Jeter[/autotag] erased Radicic’s field goal with one of his own from 49 yards out with seven seconds left.
The Irish have a 17-3 lead and are only 30 minutes away from a trip to New Orleans to face Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. While not a done deal yet, all signs are pointing to it happening. It should be a fun second half.
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Most notably, Georgia could face a pair of former Dawgs in the semifinals. Both of Penn State’s starting cornerbacks, A.J. Harris and Jalen Kimber, are former Georgia Bulldogs.
Sophomore A.J. Harris has blossomed for Penn State. Harris, Kimber and the Nittany Lions have the No. 16 passing defense in the country (178.5 yards per game).
Harris has 39 tackles, four pass deflections and one interception this season. He saw less and less playing time as the 2023 season went on, so the former five-star recruit elected to transfer to Penn State, and his decision has paid off.
Kimber, who played at Georgia from 2020-2021, is a former four-star recruit. Kimber transferred to Florida and played there from 2022-2023. Now, the senior cornerback has a career-best 26 tackles for Penn State. Kimber also has a pair of pass deflections.
Penn State’s opening round playoff game is at home against the SMU Mustangs on Saturday, Dec. 21 at noon ET. Of course, SMU has a former Georgia Bulldog on its roster: defensive lineman Jonathan Jefferson. Jefferson, a senior, has posted a career-high 14 tackles and two pass deflections with the Mustangs.
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Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Bill Norton (15) played at Georgia for four years. Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Lastly, Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Bill Norton began his career at Georgia from 2019-2022. Norton then transferred to Arizona. After one season with the Wildcats, Norton transferred to Texas. He has 11 tackles this season with the Longhorns and is 0-2 against Georgia. Texas could meet UGA for a third time in the national championship.
Wisconsin could be closing in on its next quarterback
Wisconsin is considered one of the contenders to land Cal transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.
Nakos lists the Badgers among three other top suitors: Georgia, UCLA and Indiana.
Mendoza entered the transfer portal this week after three years at Cal, two as the primary starter. He broke out for a career-best 2024 season, leading the Bears to their second consecutive bowl under head coach Justin Wilcox. Mendoza completed 68.7% of his passes during the campaign for 3,004 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions.
247Sports currently ranks him as a four-star transfer recruit, the No. 9 overall player in the portal and the No. 2 quarterback. He is in the portal with two years of eligibility remaining.
Georgia, Indiana, UCLA, and Wisconsin are contenders for Cal transfer QB Fernando Mendoza, per @PeteNakos_👀
Mendoza passed for 3,004 yards, 16 TDs, and 6 INTs this season.
On the surface, Mendoza seems like a perfect fit for the Badgers. The program just welcomed in top-ranked freshman Carter Smith, though will need a few bridge years before he’s ready to start. Mendoza could provide much-needed stability to a position that has seen three different starters in three years — four in four years when 2025 is considered.
Wisconsin is also looking for immediate results under new offensive coordinator Jeff Grimes. While the program is moving back to a more pro-style approach, strong play under center remains a requisite to compete at the highest level.
Mendoza’s recruitment is worth watching as the Badgers battle several top programs for his commitment. Wisconsin has done well the last two offseason to land a highly-pursued veteran. The Cal transfer could be the next to follow.
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Experts in Georgia explain why North Atlantic right whales are so difficult to spot, and why boaters should exercise caution.
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources on Monday asked social-media followers: “Where’s the whale?”
The quiz is part of an effort to explain why critically endangered North Atlantic right whales are difficult to spot and why boaters should exercise extreme caution with the mammals present for the winter calving season.
But there are actually three adult female right whales in the image shared by the Georgia DNR (and posted above and immediately below). Can you spot all three whales? (Answer at the bottom of this post.)
Can you spot the right whales in this image? Photo: Georgia Department of Natural Resources
The Georgia DNR explained the visibility issue in a news release and via its blog: “Although they can be as big as a school bus, North Atlantic right whales do not have a dorsal fin and their profile is usually low in the water.
“In the Southeast, which is where pregnant females migrate to from New England and Canadian waters each winter to give birth, they also spend much of their time at or just below the surface.
“This is especially true for mothers and calves, because calves are unable to dive for long and their moms keep them close during this vulnerable time for the young.”
Vessel strikes are a leading cause of death for North Atlantic right whales. And because there are only about 370 whales left, including a mere 70 breeding-age females, every life counts.
Interestingly, the waters off Georgia, the Carolinas, and northern Florida are the species’ only known calving grounds.
As for the quiz, the three whales are circled in the image posted below.
Hard-to-spot right whales are circled. Photo: Georgia Department of Natural Resources
The Georgia DNR explained that the image was captured by a research crew with a permit to be within 100 yards of the mammals.
The DNR stated: “The photo illustrates what a challenge it can be to spot these whales on the open water. But being vigilant and going slow can provide boaters time to react.
“Collisions have not only killed and injured right whales, they have caused extreme damage to vessels and put people at risk.”
The calving season runs from November through April. Boaters are urged to follow guidelines for Navigating in Right Whale Waters.
Georgia Bulldogs Blue 84 2024 SEC Football Conference Champions Locker Room Pullover Hoodie (Fanatics)
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Not that there should have been any doubt, but UGA is headed to the College Football Playoff, so gear up and support the Dawgs on the upcoming playoff run.
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[afflinkbutton text=”Shop UGA SEC champs hoodie” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/199oea”]
UGA is headed to the College Football Playoff, so gear up and support the Dawgs on the upcoming playoff run.
[afflinkbutton text=”Shop all UGA SEC champs gear” link=”https://fanatics.93n6tx.net/9LLxG0″]
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. FTW operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Why Texas will cover and win the SEC championship game vs. Georgia football
The No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs play in the No. 2 Texas Longhorns on Saturday, at 4 p.m. ET in the 2024 SEC championship game. Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, will host the SEC title game.
The Texas offense is unique and plays two quarterbacks. Quinn Ewers is the main quarterback and the top decision maker. He is efficient through the air with a 3.4 touchdown to interception ratio.
The changeup quarterback is Arch Manning, who is the better runner of the two. He scored a rushing touchdown in Texas’ 17-7 win against Texas A&M. Texas will have to be on its “A” game to avenge its only loss.
Secondary
The Texas secondary is one of the best in the nation. Cornerback Jahdae Barron and safety Andrew Mukuba are two standouts that lead the group. Mukuba leads Texas in interceptions with four.
Barron is finalist of the Jim Thorpe Award for the best defensive back in the nation. Texas forced three Carson Beck interceptions in the first matchup. Both look to create turnovers to give the Longhorns an advantage in possessions.
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Familiar Opponent
Something about seeing a team again gives the team that lost the previous matchup a new-found urgency. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian is an offensive mastermind, and he will have something new up his sleeve for the Bulldogs, who have struggled in recent weeks.
Georgia Bulldogs versus Texas Longhorns football series history entering the SEC title game
The SEC championship will be between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Texas Longhorns. The game is a rematch and will be held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Texas leads the all-time series 4-2 against Georgia. What are some of the notable games in series history?
(2024) Georgia 30, Texas 15
Georgia went out in Austin and dominated defensively through all four quarters. Junior linebacker Jalon Walker took the college football world by storm with eight tackles, three sacks and three tackle for loss on Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. On the offensive end, running back Trevor Etienne showed why Georgia signed him in the offseason with 87 rushing yards and three touchdowns to uplift Carson Beck’s three turnovers.
(2019 Sugar Bowl)Texas 28,Georgia 21
Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
The 2019 Sugar Bowl game featured notable moments, including Texas’ mascot, Bevo, charging toward Georgia’s Uga during the pregame. Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger accounted for 233 total yards and three touchdowns to help seal the victory. Jake Fromm threw for 212 yards and three touchdowns in the loss.
(1984) Georgia 10, Texas 9
This game is remembered for Georgia pulling off a dramatic upset over Texas, which entered the game ranked No. 2 in the nation and was a heavy favorite. The Longhorns were vying for a national championship but saw their hopes dashed with the loss. Georgia quarterback John Lastinger ran 17 yards for a touchdown with 3:22 left to play to capture the victory.
