Notre Dame pulls off back-to-back penalty kicks to open Sugar Bowl

It was a bad start Notre Dame in its College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Georgia on Thursday.

The Fighting Irish began Sugar bowl with back-to-back penalties on defense and another on quarterback Riley Leonard on Notre’s Dame’s opening drive.

Defensive lineman Bryce Young, a freshman, was called for running back penalties after the collision. Georgia player Drew Miller. The first resulted in a 5-yard penalty, but the second penalty was declined.

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

Leonard was called for a pass illegal after attempting two passes. His first pass was intercepted by Georgia junior Mykel Williams. After catching the ball that was bent out of Williams’ hand, Leonard attempted another incomplete pass.

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

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The game ended in a 0-0 tie 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 the College Football Playoff quarterfinals against Georgia on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, New Orleans. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

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The Sugar Bowl is being played at the Superdome in New Orleans on Thursday after being postponed a day after a terrorist attack that killed at least 15 people and injured dozens more.

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