Notre Dame faces back-to-back runs on kicker penalties to open Sugar Bowl

It was a difficult start for Our Lady in their College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Georgia on Thursday.

The Fighting Irish began the Sugar bowl with consecutive penalties on the defense and another on quarterback Riley Leonard on Notre’s Dame’s first drive.

Notre Dame defensive lineman Bryce Young (30) attempts to block a punt by Georgia punter Drew Miller (90) during the first half of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Defensive lineman Bryce Young, a true freshman, was flagged for consecutive runs to penalties after colliding with Georgia punter Drew Miller. The first resulted in a 5-yard penalty, but the second was waved away.

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Things didn’t look much better on Notre Dame’s first drive.

Leonard was called for an illegal forward pass after making two pass attempts. His first pass was deflected by Georgia junior Mykel Williams. After catching the ball that bounced off Williams’ hand, Leonard attempted another incomplete pass.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, left, passes while being pressured by Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker (11) during the first half of a College Football Playoff quarterfinal game Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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The game was tied 0-0 after the first quarter. Georgia’s defense limited Notre Dame to 24 yards in the first quarter. Leonard completed just one pass for 14 yards. The teams traded field goals in the second quarter.

Notre Dame players run on the field before a College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Georgia on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

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The Sugar Bowl will be played at the Superdome in New Orleans on Thursday after being postponed a day following a deadly terrorist attack on Bourbon Street that claimed the lives of at least 15 people and injured dozens more.

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