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No. 12 Notre Dame leans on strong defense to beat Georgia Tech

By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer

Notre Dame vs Georgia Tech Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) runs against Georgia Tech defensive lineman Thomas Gore (59) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) (Mike Stewart/AP)

By CHARLES ODUM AP Sports Writer

ATLANTA (AP) — Riley Leonard bolstered No. 12 Notre Dame’s playoff hopes by rushing for two touchdowns and the Fighting Irish defense was dominant after a slow start in a 31-13 win over Georgia Tech on Saturday.

Jeremiyah Love added a TD run and defensive back Adon Shuler scored on a 36-yard interception return for Notre Dame (6-1). The Fighting Irish held Georgia Tech (5-3) to 64 rushing yards.

Leonard ran for 51 yards as Notre Dame extended its winning streak to five games. Leonard completed 20 of 29 passes for 203 yards with an interception in the game played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. He recovered from a first-quarter interception that helped the Yellow Jackets take a 7-0 lead.

“It’s very easy to get greedy and want to make the explosive play, but throughout my career, I’ve learned that just taking what the defense gives me is what wins ballgames,” Leonard said. “... Settle down, trust your eyes, trust your coaching and you get the job done. And we did a pretty good job with that.”

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Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said Leonard “came back with the right mindset” after giving up the interception to cornerback Warren Burrell midway through the first quarter.

“He’s confident. ... He’s a confident individual because of the way he prepares. And, you know, he did a great job after that interception leading the offense.”

With Haynes King held out with a shoulder injury, quarterback Zach Pyron was sharp early in his first start for Georgia Tech since his 2022 freshman season.

Pyron completed his first nine passes, including six completions on a touchdown drive. Jamal Haynes’ 1-yard scoring run as time expired in the first quarter gave the Yellow Jackets the 7-0 lead. Notre Dame led 31-7 before Pyron’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Chase Lane with 33 seconds remaining.

Georgia Tech coach Brent Key said Pyron’s effort was “gutsy.”

“The guy is tough as nails,” Key said. “We’ve got to be able to step up around him and complement him and help him.”

Led by Leonard, the Fighting Irish owned the second quarter with nine plays of 10 or more yards. Leonard’s first scoring run from the 1 capped a 14-play drive. He added another TD run from the 12, giving the senior 10 rushing scores this season.

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Special teams woes

Georgia Tech muffed a 39-yard field goal attempt with 11 seconds remaining in the half when David Shanahan dropped the snap. Late in the third quarter, Notre Dame’s Bryce Young blocked a 35-yard attempt by Aidan Birr.

“Special teams for three weeks now have not been up to expectations,” Key said.

Leading 21-7, the Fighting Irish faked a punt and Love gained 27 yards to set up Zac Yoakam’s 42-yard field goal, the first of his career. Yoakam filled in for Mitch Jeter, who missed the game with a hip injury.

The takeaway

Notre Dame: Defense played the lead role, even after giving up Pyron’s 60-yard pass to Abdul Janneh to the Notre Dame 16 late in the third quarter. A third-down sack of Pyron by Rylie Mills set up Young’s blocked field goal. Safety Xavier Watts added a fourth-quarter interception, his third of the season.

Georgia Tech: Pyron couldn’t maintain the momentum from his strong first quarter, throwing two interceptions and one scoring pass. He completed 20 of 36 passes for 269 yards.

Poll Implications

Notre Dame could move up in the Top 25 following the impressive road win over the Yellow Jackets, who were coming off two straight Atlantic Coast Conference wins over Duke and North Carolina.

Up next

Notre Dame: Plays in another NFL stadium next Saturday against No. 25 Navy at MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and New York Jets.

Georgia Tech: Returns to its Atlantic Coast Conference schedule when it plays at Virginia Tech next Saturday.

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