Notre Dame draws back-to-back running into the kicker penalties to open Sugar Bowl

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

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

Notre Dame defensive lineman Bryce Young (30) tries to block a punt by Georgia punter Drew Miller (90) during the first half of the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans.  (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)

Defensive lineman Bryce Young, a true freshman, was called for back-to-back running into the kicker penalties after colliding with Georgia punter 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 an illegal forward pass after he made two pass attempts. His first pass was deflected by Georgia junior Mykel Williams. After he caught the ball that ricocheted off 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 quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, in New Orleans.  (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

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The game was tied 0-0 after the first quarter. Georgia’s defense limited Notre Dame to 24 yards in the first quarter. Leonard completed just one pass