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Notre Dame Makes History With Sugar Bowl Win Over Georgia

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Jan 2, 2025 8:13 PM ET

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have had some outstanding teams in the 137-year history of the school’s football program, but the 2024 iteration may be one of the best.

Facing the No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs, who some considered national championship favorites after No. 1 Oregon was eliminated by No. 8 Ohio State from the College Football Playoff on Wednesday, No. 7 Notre Dame put forth one of their best performances of the season in a dominating 23-10 win in the Sugar Bowl.

Since its loss to NIU on Sept. 7 (it’s lone defeat of the season), Notre Dame has won 12 straight games, beating teams by an average of 27.5 points per game with nine straight wins coming by 10 or more points.

The Fighting Irish also improved to 6-0 against ranked teams — the most single-season wins against ranked opponents in a single season since 1989.

Notre Dame’s win over Georgia was also a history-making victory as the Fighting Irish and head coach Marcus Freeman set a new school record for the most wins in a single season (13). The previous record was 12, accomplished twice by Lou Holtz (1988, 1989) and Brian Kelly (2012, 2018).

“You got a group of guys, some that are sixth-year guys, some that are freshmen, some that have transferred in but they all love Notre Dame,” Freeman told ESPN’s Molly McGrath after the win.

“And they all commit to this team, and that’s what makes this thing special because they put this team and this university in front of themselves. That’s why you can have a moment like this.”

Notre Dame didn’t just beat Georgia, it dominated.

The Fighting Irish held the Bulldogs to just 296 yards of total offense and 10 points (they averaged 413.8 yards and 33.3 points per game during the regular season), and they became just the second team not named Alabama to beat Georgia since 2020.

“I’m proud of this team,” Freeman added. “I love this university, it’s an honor to be a part of this place.”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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