Tag: Sugar Bowl

Star Notre Dame DL ruled out for the Sugar Bowl

Notre Dame’s sack leader will miss the Sugar Bowl against Georgia

Star Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Rylie Mills has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2024 college football season and will miss the Sugar Bowl against the Georgia Bulldogs.

Mills leads Notre Dame in sacks with 7.5 sacks this season. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound senior suffered a knee injury in the Fighting Irish’s 27-17 first round College Football Playoff win over the Indiana Hoosiers.

No other Notre Dame player has more than four sacks, so Mills’ injury is a big loss for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame did return sixth year senior Howard Cross for the Indiana game after he missed some time with an injury, so it not all bad news for the Fighting Irish.

Georgia is without starting quarterback Carson Beck for the Sugar Bowl. Both Notre Dame and Georgia have several players in the transfer portal. Georgia has nine players in the portal right now, while Notre Dame has three. It is unclear if any Georgia or Notre Dame players in the portal will play in the Sugar Bowl.

Georgia QB Carson Beck has UCL surgery, out for season

Georgia quarterback Carson Beck ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery

Georgia football starting quarterback Carson Beck’s season is done. Georgia confirmed reports that the quarterback will miss the College Football Playoffs after he underwent surgery to repair an elbow injury sustained in the SEC Championship earlier this month against Texas.

“Georgia quarterback Carson Beck underwent successful surgery Monday on his right elbow to repair his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), performed by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, Ca,” the statement shared. “A full recovery is expected with throwing to begin spring of 2025.”

Without Beck, Georgia will rely on backup quarterback Gunner Stockton, a redshirt sophomore who took over for him in the second half of Georgia’s SEC championship win over Texas. Stockton completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards and showcased his mobility, adding 27 rushing yards to his performance.

Beck’s season has been a roller coaster. He finished the regular season leading the SEC in both passing touchdowns and interceptions, enduring a six-game stretch where he threw all 12 of his picks, including multiple in four games. However, he has rebounded impressively in recent weeks, avoiding turnovers in Georgia’s final three regular-season games while throwing for 11 touchdowns and 941 yards during that span.

Georgia takes on Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Sugar Bowl and quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff on New Year’s Day. The Fighting Irish defeated Indiana this past Friday during the first round of the CFP. Kickoff time is set for 8:45 p.m. ET (TV: ABC/ESPN) from the Caesar’s Superdome in New Orleans.

Georgia star LB confident in quarterback Gunner Stockton

Georgia football players have confidence in quarterback Gunner Stockton.

There is a lot of pressure on Georgia Bulldogs starting quarterback Gunner Stockton. After Thursday’s diagnosis that Carson Beck will miss the Sugar Bowl, all eyes turn to Gunner Stockton to keep the Bulldogs afloat in the College Football Playoff.

Stockton delivered a fearless performance against Texas in the SEC championship to get Georgia to the Sugar Bowl, but there are some critics, like former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray that remain skeptical that he can do it again.

Stockton’s Georgia Bulldogs teammate Jalon Walker, one of the heart-and-soul players on the team, has confidence in Stockton to deliver for Georgia. He expressed this on “The Paul Finebaum Show” on Thursday.

“He’s played big time football because he’s seen it everyday,” Walker said. “He does a great job preparing himself mentally and physically. Including for what he has to do for the game. I think he’ll be fine.”

He sent a final message to Georgia fans who doubt Stockton becoming a leader for the Bulldogs if they lose.

“I feel like our team will have Gunner’s back, no matter what happens,” Walker declared.

Stockton’s insane high-school reel and pedigree (he was the state’s 11th prospect overall) earned him an offer from Georgia in 2021, which led to this point.

Photos of Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff win over Indiana

What image or images will you remember most?

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:

Notre Dame vs. Indiana: Fourth-Quarter Analysis

Enjoy this win over the holidays, folks.

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.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on X: @gfclark89

How to buy Notre Dame Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff tickets

Notre Dame is headed to the Sugar Bowl to take on Georgia on Wednesday, Jan. 1. Tickets are already on sale and selling fast.

Notre Dame is heading to New Orleans.

The Fighting Irish dominated the Indiana Hoosiers 27-17 on Friday night, becoming the first team to win a game in the newly-expanded College Football Playoff.

Notre Dame earned a date against the No. 2 seeded Georgia Bulldogs at the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday, Jan. 1.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Notre Dame vs Georgia Sugar Bowl tickets” link=”https://seatgeek.pxf.io/c/1205322/2374312/20501″]

Sugar Bowl tickets were already available since the Bulldogs were announced as a participant, but now that Notre Dame will join them in New Orleans, tickets are selling fast.

At the time of publication, the cheapest available Sugar Bowl ticket to see Notre Dame vs Georgia cost $441.

If you’re looking to sit closer to the field, the cheapest available Notre Dame vs. Georgia ticket in the lower bowl at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans costs $610.

Whether you’re a fan of Notre Dame, Georgia, or just great college football action, don’t miss out on your opportunity to see this game in person.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Notre Dame vs Georgia Sugar Bowl tickets” link=”https://seatgeek.pxf.io/c/1205322/2374312/20501″]

How to buy Georgia vs. Notre Dame Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff tickets

Notre Dame is headed to the Sugar Bowl to take on Georgia on Wednesday, Jan. 1. Tickets are already on sale and selling fast.

Georgia finally knows its opponent for the 2025 Sugar Bowl.

Notre Dame defeated the Indiana Hoosiers 27-17 on Friday evening, becoming the first team to win a game in the newly-expanded College Football Playoff.

The No. 2 seeded Georgia Bulldogs will take on the No. 7 seeded Fighting Irish at the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday, Jan. 1.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Georgia vs. Notre Dame Sugar Bowl tickets” link=”https://seatgeek.pxf.io/c/1205322/2374312/20501″]

Sugar Bowl tickets were already available since the Bulldogs were announced as a participant, but now that Notre Dame will join them in New Orleans, tickets are selling fast.

At the time of publication, the cheapest available Sugar Bowl ticket to see Georgia vs. Notre Dame cost $441.

Whether you’re a fan of Georgia, Notre Dame, or just great college football action, don’t miss out on your opportunity to see this game in person.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop UGA vs. Notre Dame Sugar Bowl tickets” link=”https://seatgeek.pxf.io/c/1205322/2374312/20501″]

How to buy Notre Dame Sugar Bowl College Football Playoff tickets

Notre Dame is headed to the Sugar Bowl to take on Georgia on Wednesday, Jan. 1. Tickets are already on sale and selling fast.

Notre Dame is heading to New Orleans.

The Fighting Irish dominated the Indiana Hoosiers 27-17 on Friday night, becoming the first team to win a game in the newly-expanded College Football Playoff.

Notre Dame earned a date against the No. 2 seeded Georgia Bulldogs at the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday, Jan. 1.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Notre Dame vs Georgia Sugar Bowl tickets” link=”https://seatgeek.pxf.io/c/1205322/2374312/20501″]

Sugar Bowl tickets were already available since the Bulldogs were announced as a participant, but now that Notre Dame will join them in New Orleans, tickets are selling fast.

At the time of publication, the cheapest available Sugar Bowl ticket to see Notre Dame vs Georgia cost $441.

If you’re looking to sit closer to the field, the cheapest available Notre Dame vs. Georgia ticket in the lower bowl at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans costs $610.

Whether you’re a fan of Notre Dame, Georgia, or just great college football action, don’t miss out on your opportunity to see this game in person.

[afflinkbutton text=”Shop Notre Dame vs Georgia Sugar Bowl tickets” link=”https://seatgeek.pxf.io/c/1205322/2374312/20501″]

Notre Dame vs. Indiana: Second-Quarter Analysis

The Irish are halfway to New Orleans.

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.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on X: @gfclark89

TV, commentators set for Sugar Bowl

The Georgia Bulldogs play the winner of the Notre Dame-Indiana game in the Sugar Bowl, which will be televised on ESPN

The No. 2 seeded Georgia Bulldogs (11-2) play the winner of the No. 10 Indiana Hoosiers (11-1) at No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1) game in the Sugar Bowl. Georgia has a bye in the first round of the 12-team College Football Playoff.

Georgia is projected to play against Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl. The Fighting Irish are home favorites against Indiana. ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Notre Dame a 73.6% chance to beat Indiana and advance to play Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

The Sugar Bowl, which is a quarterfinal, will be played in the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, and will be televised on ESPN. The Sugar Bowl is scheduled to be played at 8:45 p.m ET on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.

The television commentators for the Sugar Bowl game are Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst), and Molly McGrath (sideline). This same trio will also commentate the Notre Dame versus Indiana game and a semifinals game.

ESPN’s “College GameDay” will be in South Bend, Indiana, for the Notre Dame versus Indiana game on Friday, Dec. 20. Notre Dame-Indiana kicks off at 8:00 p.m. ET.