Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman had a short, honest take on Riley Leonard.
Notre Dame football relied on more than just its defense to overwhelm Georgia 23-10 in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday. Head coach Marcus Freeman observed his quarterback, Riley Leonard, stepping up for the team on several occasions.
Despite facing relentless pressure from the Bulldogs, which limited him to a disappointing 90 passing yards, Leonard emerged as a significant challenge for the Southeastern Conference representative. Freeman encapsulated Leonard’s contribution in a few powerful words.
“Competitors find a way,” Leonard shared with ESPN following the victory in New Orleans.
Ultimately, Notre Dame didn’t need Leonard’s passing skills to defeat the Bulldogs; instead, his running ability proved crucial. He was particularly effective in keeping drives alive and preserving their season in the College Football Playoffs.
Leonard’s courageous performance occurred on a night when Freeman’s defensive unit took care of business, impressively holding Georgia to an extraordinary, record-setting performance.
Riley Leonard executes impressive runs for Marcus Freeman
Leonard’s resolve and bravery were on full display in the Superdome.
The dual-threat quarterback made bold choices with the ball, but none was bolder than his remarkable run on third-and-seven:
Leonard had one of the toughest passing nights of his career at Notre Dame, but he made a significant impact on the ground. The 6-foot-4, 216-pound quarterback rushed for 80 yards on 14 carries.
Before the Sugar Bowl, the Duke transfer had already made an impression against run defenses, posting 100 yards against Purdue and 143 against Miami of Ohio in consecutive weeks in September. He brought 15 rushing touchdowns with him to the Bayou.
His 80 rushing yards marked his highest total since November 23 against Navy, when he gained 83 yards and scored once in a 51-14 victory.
Hailing from Fairhope, Alabama, Leonard’s journey to this point wasn’t without challenges. He arrived in South Bend, Indiana, as a quarterback recovering from a left toe injury that sidelined him for the 2023 season. Coming from the Atlantic Coast Conference, he was a newcomer to Notre Dame, but he left the Sugar Bowl expressing his gratitude.
“They kind of revived my career. I owe the world to them,” Leonard said to ESPN’s Molly McGrath after the game.
Now, with Notre Dame advancing to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, fans are not just hopeful—they’re dreaming of their first national title since 1988. After nearly four decades of waiting for another championship, Leonard has brought the Irish back into the national title race, doing so without relying primarily on his passing.
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