It was a difficult start for Our Lady in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Georgia on Thursday.
The Fighting Irish started with the Sugar bowl with back-to-back penalties on the defense and another on quarterback Riley Leonard on Notre Dame’s opening drive.
Notre Dame defensive lineman Bryce Young (30) tries to block a punt by Georgia punter Drew Miller (90) during the first half of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Defensive lineman Bryce Young, a true freshman, was called for back-to-back against the kicker penalties after colliding with Georgia gambler Drew Miller. The first resulted in a 5-yard penalty, but the second penalty was disallowed.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Things didn’t look much better on Notre Dame’s opening drive.
Leonard was called for an illegal forward pass after attempting two passes. His first pass was deflected by Georgia junior Mykel Williams. After catching the ball that deflected 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 Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
LOUISIANA GOV WILL ATTEND SUGAR BOWL, PROMISE SUPERDOME IS ‘VERY SAFE’
After the first quarter the match was tied at 0-0. 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 onto the field for a College Football Playoff quarterfinals against Georgia on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The Sugar Bowl will be played Thursday at the Superdome in New Orleans after it was postponed a day following a deadly terror attack on Bourbon Street that killed at least 15 people and injured dozens of others.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports reporting on Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
