Notre Dame vs. Indiana: Second Quarter Analysis

Notre Dame vs. Indiana: Second Quarter Analysis

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – DECEMBER 20: Drayk Bowen #34 and Jack Kiser #24 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate after a defensive play in the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the Playoff First Round game at Notre Dame Stadium on December 20. 2024 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA – DECEMBER 20: Drayk Bowen #34 and Jack Kiser #24 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate after a defensive play in the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers in the Playoff First Round game at Notre Dame Stadium on December 20. 2024 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

Notre Dame began the second quarter against Indiana by completing a successful drive that began in the first. Specifically, Riley Leonard threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Thomas, giving the Irish a 14-0 lead in the first round of the College Football Playoff.

The teams then showcased their respective defensive strengths, forcing punts on consecutive possessions. Kurtis Rourke then completed a pair of first-down passes to get the Hoosiers into the red zone for their best scoring opportunity yet.

However, the Irish defense didn’t let the Hoosiers get too far into the red zone and forced a four-and-4 at the 16. The Hoosiers offense lined up as if they were going to try, but after a timeout Nicolas Radicic instead came out to kick a 34-yard field goal and put the team on the board.

The Irish offense then tried to make the Hoosiers pay for going down a path that was inconsequential in every way. The final drive of the half took the offense to the Hoosiers’ 31-yard line, and Mitch Jeter canceled out Radicic’s field goal with one of his own from 49 yards with seven seconds left.

The Irish have a 17-3 lead and are just 30 minutes away from traveling to New Orleans to face Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. Although the agreement is not yet finalized, all signs point to it happening. It should be an entertaining second half.

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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame vs. Indiana: Second Quarter Analysis

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