Zac Swanson seeks revenge against Texas in College Football Playoff
- Notre Dame secured a victory against Indiana in the College Football Playoff's opening round.
- Responses from Indiana fell short despite a fourth-quarter comeback attempt.
- The Fighting Irish advanced to face Georgia in the Sugar Bowl after this historic win.
In the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish hosted the Indiana Hoosiers in South Bend, Indiana, on December 20, 2024. Notre Dame took control early in the game, leading 14-0 within the first few minutes after a 98-yard touchdown run by Jeremiyah Love and a touchdown pass from Riley Leonard to Jayden Thomas. Indiana only managed to respond with a single field goal in the first half. Despite a late surge in the fourth quarter where Indiana scored 14 points, including a failed two-point conversion attempt, Notre Dame sealed the game with a final score of 27-17, advancing to the quarterfinals against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day. This victory marked Notre Dame's historic moment as the first team to win a home playoff game in the College Football Playoff's history. The Fighting Irish's strong defense and strategic offense played pivotal roles in their victory, silencing critics and reaffirming their position in the postseason. The upcoming match against Georgia is highly anticipated as both teams are strong contenders in college football, creating a compelling narrative for fans and analysts alike.