ATLANTA, GA – Notre Dame and Riley Leonard got off to a slow start but, in the end, rolled past Georgia Tech 31-13. Leonard had 254 yards of total offense, highlighted by two of the Irish three rushing TDs. The defense also added two fourth-quarter interceptions to seal the deal.
Here’s how it all went down at Mercedes Benz Stadium in the ATL on Saturday.
Tech won the toss and elected to defer to the second half. This would set up the Irish 1st and ten at their own 25-yard line after the kickoff sailed out of the back of the endzone. The Rambling Wreck defense would force a three-and-out after quarterback Riley Leonard rushed for a seven-yard gainer on 1st down.
The Yellow Jackets first possession started at their own 20-yard line. Facing a 3rd and seven, Tech would pick up the first down on a 20-yard completion from Zach Pyron to Jackson Hawes. However, after this brought them to midfield, the GT punt team would make their first appearance as David Shanahan booted one out of the back of the endzone.
Leonard would lead the Irish to the line of scrimmage at their own 20-yard line. He handed off to Jadarian Price, who broke free for a 19-yard gainer. This would be followed suit by a 4th down QB keeper for Leonard, as he picked up the first down.
However, on the very next play, Leonard would sail one into the back of the endzone, where Warren Burrell would haul it in. After the interception, it was a 1st and 10 for GT at their own 25 with 7:06 left in the 1st quarter.
Taking advantage of the turnover, Pyron got to work quickly. He completed four of four passes on the drive, leading up to a 4th and one at the Irish 31-yard line. Before he took the snap, GT took their first timeout of the game with 3:44 left in the 1st quarter.
Out of the timeout, Tech would still elect to go for it, and they would convert as Pyron hit Eric Singlton Jr. for three yards. On a drive that started with 7:04 left on the game clock in the first quarter, it would end with 0:00 on the 1st quarter clock as Jamal Haynes took it in from a yard out to make it 7-0 Georgia Tech.
The Irish would look to answer as they started their 3rd driv fo the game from their own 25. Ten plays later, it was a 3rd and three for the Irish, where Leornard connected with Aneyas Williams to convert to the three-yard line for the Irish. Three plays later, it was another third down conversion with Leonard keeping it himself and rushing it in for the score to tie this one up at seven with 7:00 left in the first half.
The Yellow Jackets would suffer a second three-and-out of the game. This would set up the Irish with their 4th possession of the game and a 1st and ten at their own 32 and 4:44 left on the 1st half game clock.
Leonard would lead a five-play 68-yard drive that he would cap off with a 12-yard keeper to make it 14-7 Irish. Then, just ahead of the half, Georgia Tech had a bad snap on a field goal attempt, which would turn into a failed attempt.
At the half, it was 14-7 Irish, with 190 yards of total offense compared to 150 from the Jackets.
To start the second half, the Yellow Jackets would fall into a three-and-out. This would be followed by a touchdown driv by Leonard and the Irish. They went 60 yards in 6 plays, capped by a one-yard TD run from Jeremiyah Love to make it 21-7 Notre Dame with 11:01 left to play in the 3rd.
After back-to-back punts from both teams, Tech got into the red zone and looked to get back in this one with a 35-yard field goal. However, the Irish would block the attempt as the 3rd quarter neared an end.
In the 4th quarter, the Irish would turn the ball over on downs after a failed 4th and five attempt at the Tech 39-yard line. The excitement was short-lived, though, for the Jackets faithful.
Two plays into the drive, Pryon was picked off by Xavier Watts. This setup the Irish at their own 44-yard line with 14 minutes left to play. Leonard would turn it into an 11-play drive, caped off by a 42-yard field goal from Zac Yoakam to make it 24-7.
In the ensuing Tech possession, they would fail to get across midfield, with the drive ending in a turnover on downs. Yet, they would get one last chance after a missed Irish field goal, and 2:47 left to play.
However, a last chance would turn into a pick-six by Adon Shuler, who went 36 yards the other way for the final dagger to make it 31-7.
The Yellow Jackets would add a garbage-time touchdown. But in the end it was a 31-13 victory for the Irish.
