Lack of running attack proves to be Georgia's downfall in Sugar Bowl

Etienne's fumble was a precursor of Georgia's troubles moving the ball on Thursday. Georgia was 0-for-2 on scoring opportunities inside the red zone (including that fumble) and 0-for-3 on fourth-down tries.

"The turnovers are the difference in the game, guys," Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said after the loss. "I mean, you should know when you turn it over twice and they return a kickoff for a touchdown, you're not going to have a lot of success."

That kickoff for a touchdown Smart mentioned was a 98-yard burst from Jayden Harrison that ballooned the Notre Dame lead to 20-3. Opening the second half with that tilted Georgia's philosophy more toward the passing game and trying to move down the field quickly.

Also hurting the potential for a running game against Notre Dame was the absence of Georgia quarterback Carson Beck. With Beck sidelined by an elbow injury, Gunner Stockton drew his first career start. 

With Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman saying before the game that Stockton "can extend plays with his legs," the Fighting Irish defense kept that from happening, sacking him four times and tagging him with minus-23 rushing yards because of that.

There is no question that Georgia is a college football powerhouse. However, on a day when their starting quarterback was sidelined and their running game was pedestrian at best, the Bulldogs were sent packing by a stronger Notre Dame squad.