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Marcus Freeman told ESPN’s Molly McGrath after Thursday’s Sugar Bowl he expected a 60-minute brawl with the Bulldogs.
What ensued during the final College Football Playoff quarterfinal was exactly what Freeman anticipated. Georgia’s defense fought all game. Notre Dame’s defense fought. Crucial mistakes from Georgia set the table for Notre Dame to create distance and win its second game of this year’s CFP, but the game was tighter than its 23-10 final scoreline indicated.
Notre Dame had to scratch and claw for its semifinal appearance.
Credit the defense for making it happen, even without star lineman Rylie Mills.
“The defense was a reflection of the entire team. Just keep battling,” Notre Dame’s head coach said after the game. “I knew this was going to be a 60-plus-minute game because that team never stops. That’s why they’re the Georgia Bulldogs. We had to be aggressive. Defense did a heck of a job. All 3 phases did a great job.”
Notre Dame produced 4 sacks and 9 tackles for loss in the win. The Fighting Irish held the Bulldogs to just 62 rushing yards — the second time in the last 4 years that Georgia has been held under 70 rushing yards in a game.
The Irish forced 2 first-half turnovers and held the Bulldogs scoreless on 2 trips to the red zone. Georgia went 2-for-12 on third down and 0-for-3 on fourth down.
” “I’m proud of this coaching staff, I’m proud of this team, I love this university,” said Freeman. “It’s an honor to be a part of this place.”
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
