Riley Leonard sends awesome message to Notre Dame fans after taking down Georgia

Notre Dame has come a long way since losing to Northern Illinois at home in Week 2, and the development of quarterback Riley Leonard is a big reason why. On Thursday night, after their quarterfinal College Football Playoff matchup was postponed a day, Leonard led the Fighting Irish to a 23-10 win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl to advance to the Orange Bowl against Penn State. 

The senior quarterback transferred to Notre Dame from Duke last offseason, and in the postgame interview on the field at the Superdome in New Orleans, he told ESPN’s Laura Rutledge that the Notre Dame fans who traveled down south and stayed an extra day after the terrorist attack on Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day postponed the event, are a big reason why. 

Leonard went just 15/24 against an elite Georgia defense and finished with 90 passing yards, and one touchdown, but he used his legs to help the Irish close out a victory that featured a strip sack of Georgia QB Gunner Stockton in the waning moments of the first half which led to that touchdown pass, and a kick return touchdown from Jayden Harrison to open the second half. 

Leonard ran for the ball 14 times for 80 yards with a remarkable third-and-7 conversion in the fourth quarter that allowed the Irish to salt away the clock and secure the win. 

Entering the season, Leonard was viewed as a potential riser in the 2025 NFL draft, but he’s struggled as a passer in offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock’s system and is unlikely to be an early-round selection. However, with his impressive athleticism, toughness, and sharp decision-making he could be the perfect QB for Notre Dame’s run-heavy offense and has the Irish just two wins away from their first national championship since 1988.