Quick takes from Notre Dame Sugar Bowl win vs. Georgia in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals
Notre Dame was known for never being able to win the big game.
They won the Sugar Bowl, defeating Georgia 23-10.
It was a tragic week in New Orleans. A terrorist attack early on New Year's Day killed at least 14 people. The Sugar Bowl was delayed a day. With a heavy heart, the Irish and Bulldogs played on Thursday.
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman relied on his running attack of Riley Leonard, Jadarian Price and Jeremiyah Love to pummel the Georgia defense. The Irish won on special teams and forced two turnovers, too.
Here are our takes from Notre Dame's win over Georgia to advance to the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Marcus Freeman has earned every cent of his extension
When the NFL came sniffing, and Notre Dame opened up its wallet.
Freeman earned an extension that's reportedly made him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.
Against Georgia, he showed why earned every penny.
The wins came before the season when he recruited Riley Leonard. He developed Xavier Watts and Howard Cross. He bounced back from a loss to Northern Illinois. He outcoached two SEC teams.
It's why Notre Dame is in the College Football Playoff semifinals, taking on Penn State for a right to play for a national championship.
Notre Dame's defensive line won up front
The talk all week was that Notre Dame's offensive line was going to have trouble with Georgia's massive defensive front.
That's true, the Bulldogs gave the Irish trouble all game. But, credit the Notre Dame defensive front. They won up front. They got sacks and tackles for loss, and forced fumbles.
The biggest stat, however, was that Notre Dame held Georgia's rushing attack to under 100 yards and under three yards per carry. That made Georgia one-dimensional.
Although Gunner Stockton passed for over 200 yards, they couldn't punch the ball in on the ground.
Notre Dame, however, ground out as much it could offensively on the ground. The Irish used their three-pronged attack of Leonard, Price and Love to gain over 120 rushing yards and over four yards per carry.
That was never more evident than on the Irish's last lengthy offensive drive, where a few key first downs put Georgia with its backs against the wall.
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 02: Jayden Harrison #2 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish returns the second-half kickoff for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 91st Allstate Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome on
Notre Dame's massive minute
At the end of the first half, Notre Dame was tied with Georgia 3-3. The Irish drove into Georgia territory and halted.
Mitch Jeter knocked in his second field goal to give Notre Dame a 6-3 lead just under a minute to go. The Irish kicked off, Georgia went on offense.
RJ Oben got his first sack since the beginning of the season. Stockton fumbled. Notre Dame recovered. Notre Dame scores on the next play.
After halftime, Notre Dame received the kickoff to start the second half. Jayden Harrison returned the opening kick off of the third quarter for a touchdown.
That's 17 points in 54 seconds for Notre Dame. It put the Irish up 20-3 in the third quarter. It was a reason Notre Dame was in charge early in the second half.