LIVE UPDATES: No. 7 Notre Dame 20, No. 2 Georgia 10 – 3Q
NEW ORLEANS — Georgia and Notre Dame are set to go in the Sugar Bowl, matching up for the final spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals on Thursday.
The game comes delayed by a day due to a terrorist attack on Bourbon Street early Wednesday morning following New Year’s Eve festivities in The Big Easy as a truck sped down the crowded, closed off street killing at least 15 and injuring dozens others. Needless to say, there’s a somber state at Caesar’s Superdome and around town with football seeming secondary but also the plenty to play for. The winner between the Bulldogs and Fighting Irish will get Penn State in the Orange Bowl January 9th, tangling with the Nittany Lions to play in the National Championship Game on January 20th.
“It’s an honor to be here today. Any time you get an opportunity to play in a Sugar Bowl, it’s a special time. I think it’s one of the most historic bowls there is. It’s even better when it’s part of the CFP,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said about the matchup. “Our guys have been hard at work in preparing for what is a great opponent in Notre Dame. I have a lot of respect for Coach [Marcus] Freeman and his staff. We have intertwined staff. We’ve gone against each other at different times. I think we turn on the tape, their play speaks for itself, their physicality, their toughness. I have a lot of respect for their program, and we’re excited to be here, and very thankful that we get to play in a venue event, a historic game. All the classic Sugar Bowls I grew up watching, it’s always great to be a part of that.”
Georgia enters is a narrow underdog of 1 point hours before kickoff after being considered a slight favorite throughout the majority of lead-up to the contest. ESPN Analytics give the Bulldogs a 45.2% chance to win.
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How to Watch, Listen and Stream
Kickoff Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN (Sean McDonough – Play by Play, Greg McElroy – Color Commentator, Molly McGrath/Laura Rutledge – Sideline Reporters)
Streaming: WatchESPN/ESPN+ (For more info, click here)
Local Radio (listed below): Georgia Bulldogs Sports Network (Scott Howard, Eric Zeier and D.J. Shockley) / Satellite Radio: SiriusXM (84)
For local radio information and a full list of Georgia Bulldog Sports Network affiliates, click here.
STREAM | LISTEN | STATS
As always, there’s one more way to keep up with the goings on in this game. In the space below, DawgsHQ will be providing live updates, scores, highlights and news from before and during the game. Just use the refresh button on your browser to see those updates as they roll in.
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TOUCHDOWN GEORGIA!
01/02/2025 05:24:55 PM
Georgia schemed open a wide open Dillon Bell on the first play of the drive, but Bell couldn’t haul it in. However, Dominic Lovett picked up 19 yards and three plays later, it Cash Jones who was the open target. Gunner Stockton showing off downfield passing ability as Jones scores from 32 yards out.
NOTRE DAME 20, GEORGIA 10 9:36 3Q
Georgia can’t respond, but Bulldogs force three-and-out
01/02/2025 05:17:28 PM
Georgia picked up a first down with a 13-yard rush by Arian Smith, but that’s it for the Bulldogs, punting on 4th & 3. However, UGA gets off the field, forcing a Notre Dame three-and-out and will take over at its 37.
Jayden Harrison takes opening kickoff for touchdown
01/02/2025 05:06:04 PM
Georgia was in need of a stop and score to try and regain momentum from the way the first half ended. Instead, Notre Dame keeps rolling right away with a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown.
NOTRE DAME 20, GEORGIA 3 14:45 3Q
HALF: Notre Dame 13, Georgia 3
01/02/2025 04:41:12 PM
That late turnover and touchdown looms large as Notre Dame will take momentum into the locker room AND get it after the break. Kirby Smart’s quote (below) as he headed into the locker room, speaking to ESPN’s Laura Rutledge…
“We tried to be aggressive in two minute and regret it. Go to the half 6-3, we want to show confidence in our quarterback and let him go play. We didn’t get the block we needed to get, and they made a good play.”
Sack fumble results in quick points for Notre Dame
01/02/2025 04:38:57 PM
Georgia came out looking to try and steal some points, but instead it’s Notre Dame that will do just that. Gunner Stockton was hit and fumbled. Irish fall on it at the 13 yard line before Riley Leonard finds Beaux Collins in the end zone for the game’s first touchdown.
NOTRE DAME 13, GEORGIA 3 0:27 2Q
Mitch Jeter makes again to put Notre Dame ahead before the break
01/02/2025 04:35:49 PM
Second field goal make for South Carolina graduate transfer Mitch Jeter, this time from 48 yards out after an attempt to ice him by Georgia. Riley Leonard’s legs did a good bit of work for the Irish to set up the score.
NOTRE DAME 6, GEORGIA 3 0:43 2Q
Two Minute Timeout: Georgia 3, Notre Dame 3
01/02/2025 04:25:22 PM
Irish will have a 3rd & 1 after picking up 9 yards with a rush by Jordan Faison (3 yards) and a completion to Jaden Greathouse (6 yards).
Georgia goes three-and-out, Drew Miller impressive on punt
01/02/2025 04:24:03 PM
Georgia’s offense couldn’t get anything going and is off the field in less than 30 seconds of game clock. Drew Miller, punting from his own goal line, helped the Bulldogs out though with a 48-yard punt past midfield. Notre Dame takes over at the UGA 38.
Traded punts by Bulldogs, Irish
01/02/2025 04:19:12 PM
Georgia picked up a first down with a 21-yard completion to Oscar Delp after an opening play sack of Gunner Stockton, but the Bulldogs fail to convert on 3rd & 3 moments later. Drew Miller punt is returned 7 yards and gives it to Notre Dame at the 24 yard line.
Notre Dame’s next drive looks fairly similar. Riley Leonard completed to Jordan Faison for 13 yards and a first down on the opening play, but the Irish can’t get anything going from there. Fair catch by Anthony Evans spots it at the 14 yard line for Georgia to take over. 3:32 remaining in the first half.
Notre Dame ties it up
01/02/2025 04:06:48 PM
Riley Leonard picked up 32 yards on a big play using his legs, cutting back on a designed counter. He was taken down at the UGA 29 where Notre Dame was able to pick up just 3 more yards. Mitch Jeter makes from 44 yards out to tie it up at 3.
GEORGIA 3, NOTRE DAME 3 8:20 2Q
Bulldogs on the board first
01/02/2025 03:59:10 PM
Gunner Stockton found Arian Smith for a gain of 67 yards on the first play of the drive down the UGA sideline. Smith caught it at the ND 42 and advanced it to the 11, but a sideline interference penalty backed the Bulldogs up to the 26. Drive stalls there, and Peyton Woodring makes from 41.
GEORGIA 3, NOTRE DAME 0 12:14 2Q
Georgia gets off the field
01/02/2025 03:49:41 PM
Riley Leonard completed to Jayden Harrison for a gain of 4 yards, but it’s not enough to pick up the necessary yardage with Malaki Starks tightly in coverage. Punt rolls dead at the 23 yard line. Georgia will take over there.
END 1Q: Georgia 0, Notre Dame 0
01/02/2025 03:46:10 PM
Notre Dame picked up its first first down with a 14-yard completion to Jordan Faison. Not long after, an Irish false start and a Georgia tackle for short gain sets up 3rd & 11 after the break.
Red zone fumbles turns it over to Notre Dame
01/02/2025 03:41:34 PM
Georgia’s offense felt like it was getting something going, but the Bulldogs turn it over in the red zone. After moving the chains four times and getting to the 16, Trevor Etienne fumbles on 3rd & 1. Notre Dame takes over at its own 10 yard line with 2:37 to go in the first quarter of a scoreless ball game.
Irish go three-and-out
01/02/2025 03:26:21 PM
An illegal forward pass is followed by a rush for lost yardage and an incompletion. Georgia takes over at its 19 yard line after a fair catch from Malaki Starks, who was back deep alongside Anthony Evans.
Notre Dame pressure brings on Georgia punt
01/02/2025 03:17:11 PM
Georgia moved the chains once on a 3rd & 12 pass interference penalty, but that was the only positive play for UGA. Bulldogs either had no gain or went backwards on the five other plays of the opening drive. A sack-fumble well push the punt team back even further as Gunner Stockton was pressured and saw the ball go out of bounds 12 yards behind the line of scrimmage.
First punt of Drew Miller’s career draws a “running into the kicker” penalty and a free 5 yards. Went 34 yards and was fair caught at the ND 39 but will be redone.
Miller is hit once again, and again, it’s deemed “running into the kicker” as opposed to “roughing the kicker.” Georgia declines the penalty and will put Notre Dame at the 36 yard line after a 36-yard punt and a short return.
Captains and Coin Toss
01/02/2025 03:03:43 PM
Captains for Georgia: Jalon Walker, Dan Jackson, Malaki Starks, Chaz Chambliss, Tate Ratledge
Notre Dame calls and wins the toss. Irish defer, leaving Georgia to receive and the offense led by Gunner Stockton to get this one going.
Red & black outnumbers blue & gold in the stands
01/02/2025 03:59:25 PM
A later arriving crowd (still about 20 minutes until kickoff) but the seem to be more Georgia fans present at the Superdome than Notre Dame supporters. Both can get behind an emotional Star Spangled Banner and chants of U-S-A though.
Georgia arrival, warmups
01/02/2025 03:59:33 PM
Noticed a couple of the banged up Bulldogs when the team arrived at Caesar’s Superdome. Carson Beck was wearing a brace on his right arm while Branson Robinson had a big brace on his right leg.
Nothing major to note from warmups. Monroe Freeling still working as first-team left tackle. Ryan Puglisi acting as the backup quarterback. Defensive line rotation something to keep an eye on as Christen Miller makes his way back from an injury that caused him to miss the SEC Championship Game. As far as special teams go, Drew Miller (punter) and Gunner Stockton (holder) appear to be replacements for Brett Thorson and Carson Beck respectively.
Pass the time pregame…
01/02/2025 03:59:39 PM
DawgsHQ has been in New Orleans since Saturday, keeping you up to date with the latest from The Big Easy for a few days now and focusing on the Sugar Bowl since the matchup was set after Notre Dame’s win over Indiana in the first round. Here’s some pregame reads, plus a powerful video from Georgia governor Brian Kemp ahead of today’s game…
Emptying the Notebook: Wait is over for Georgia-Notre Dame
Staff Predictions: Georgia-Notre Dame, College Football Playoffs
Palmer’s Players to Watch: Georgia Bulldogs vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Who Has the Edge? Georgia vs. Notre Dame in Sugar Bowl
Major Matchups: UGA vs. Notre Dame
Three Biggest Questions Entering Sugar Bowl Week
Bulldog offensive line hardened by injury adversity in regular season
Georgia DL healthy at right time ahead of challenging Notre Dame front
Nate Frazier fully embracing ‘RBU’ traditions during excellent freshman season
KJ Bolden reflects on significant role in first season, lessons learned from those around him
Trevor Etienne’s Georgia journey takes him to home state of Louisiana
Arian Smith continues to bring major value to Georgia despite drops
Butkus Award-winning season ‘a dream in the making’ for Jalon Walker
Georgia punter job up for grabs as Bulldogs compete to replace Brett Thorson
Gunner Stockton ‘has full control’ of Georgia offense ahead of first career start
Bulldog defense sky-high on Gunner Stockton’s potential ahead of Sugar Bowl
Gunner Stockton walks to beat of his own drum and Georgia teammates dig it
Georgia moves forward with Gunner Stockton as QB1
Three Things to Love, Three Things to Hate About Georgia’s Matchup
Early Look at the Irish
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