Written by Charles Odum
AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) — Riley Leonard boosted No. 12 Notre Dame’s playoff hopes by rushing for two touchdowns in a 31-13 win over Georgia Tech on Saturday, and the struggling Fighting Irish. The defense was dominant.
Jeremiah 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 to 64 rushing yards (5-3).
Leonard ran for 51 yards, extending Notre Dame’s winning streak to five games. In the game played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, Leonard completed 20 of 29 passes for 203 yards, including one interception. He bounced back from a first-quarter interception to help the Yellow Jackets take a 7-0 lead.
“It’s easy to get greedy and want to make explosive plays, but I’ve learned throughout my career that winning ballgames is about just taking what the defense gives you,” Leonard said. Ta. “… Stay calm, trust your eyes, trust your coaching, and get the job done. And we did a pretty good job of that.”
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said Leonard “came back with the right mindset” after giving up an interception to cornerback Warren Burrell midway through the first quarter.
“He’s confident. … He’s a confident guy because of the way he prepares. And you know, he did a great job leading the offense after the interception.”
With Haynes King sidelined with a shoulder injury, quarterback Zach Pyron was sharp from the start in his first start at Georgia Tech since his freshman season in 2022.
Pyron completed his first nine passes, six of which were touchdown drives. Jamal Haynes’ 1-yard scoring run as time expired in the first quarter gave the Yellow Jackets a 7-0 lead. Notre Dame led 31-7 when Pyron completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to Chase Lane with 33 seconds left.
Georgia Tech coach Brent Key said Pyron’s effort was “brave.”
“This guy is tough as nails,” Key said. “We have to be around him, complement him and help him.”
The Fighting Irish, led by Leonard, dominated the second quarter with nine plays of 10 yards or more. Leonard’s first scoring run in his first cap included a 14-play drive. He added another TD run in the 12th inning, making him the senior’s 10th rushing score this season.
special forces troubles
Georgia Tech had a 39-yard field goal attempt blocked by David Shanahan off the snap with 11 seconds left in the first half. Late in the third quarter, Notre Dame’s Bryce Young blocked Aidan Barr’s 35-yard attempt.
“Special teams the last three weeks have not lived up to expectations,” Key said.
Leading 21-7, the Fighting Irish faked a punt and Love gained 27 yards, setting up Zach Yoakam’s first career 42-yard field goal. Yoakam filled in for Mitch Jeter, who was out with a hip injury.
Take-out
Notre Dame: The defense continued to take charge after allowing Abdul-Jhaneh to complete a 60-yard pass from the pylon to the Notre Dame 16 late in the third quarter. On third down, Riley Mills sacked the pylon, resulting in a blocked field goal for Young. Safety Xavier Watts added his third interception of the season in the fourth quarter.
Georgia Tech: Pyron was unable to maintain the momentum of a strong first quarter, throwing two interceptions and one scoring pass. He completed 20 of 36 passes for 269 yards.
Impact of public opinion polls
Notre Dame could move into the top 25 after an impressive road win over the Yellow Jackets, which was coming off a two-game winning streak against Duke and North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
to the next
Notre Dame: Will play No. 25 Navy next Saturday in another NFL stadium, MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and New York Jets.
Georgia Tech: Returns to the Atlantic Coast Conference schedule when they play at Virginia Tech next Saturday.
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No. 12 Notre Dame 31, Georgia Tech 13
Notre Dame 0 14 7 10 — 31 Georgia Tech 7 0 0 6 — 13
1st quarter
GT_Haynes 1 run (bar kick), :00.
2nd quarter
ND_Leonard 1 run (Yokam kick), 7:00.
ND_Leonard 12 runs (Yokam kick), 1:53.
3rd quarter
ND_Love 1 run (Yokam kick), 11:01.
4th quarter
ND_FG Yocum 42, 10:01.
ND_Shuler 36 Interception Return (Yokam Kick), 2:37.
Pass from GT_Lane 6 pylon (pass failed), :23.
A_59,021.
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ND GT First Down 23 19 Total Net Yards 385 333 Rush Yards 39-168 29-64 Pass 217 269 Punt Return 2-14 1-4 Kickoff Return 0-0 4-98 Interception Return 2-36 1-27 Comp-at- Intos 21-30-1 20-38-2 Sack Yards Lost Yards 0-0 2-14 Punts 2-37.5 4-45.0 Fumble Loss 0-0 1-0 Penalty Yards 5-37 5-25 Time of Possession 35:45 24 :15
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personal statistics
RUSHING_Notre Dame, Price 8-69, Leonard 10-51, Love 14-36, Ford 2-5, A. Williams 2-5, Buchner 1-4, (team) 2-(minus 2). Georgia Tech, Pylon 13-45, Alexander 5-19, Haynes 8-15, Singleton 2-1, (Team) 1-(minus-16).
PASSING_Notre Dame, Leonard 20-29-1-203, Sherwood 1-1-0-14. Georgia Tech, Pylon 20-36-2-269, (Team) 0-2-0-0.
RECEIVING_Notre Dame, Collins 5-51, Evans 4-26, Love 3-57, Greathouse 3-43, Harrison 2-(minus 1), Mitchell 1-14, A. Williams 1-10, Raridon 1- 9, J. Thomas 1-8. Georgia Tech, Singleton 6-59, Rutherford 4-32, Stockton 2-37, Alexander 2-18, Haynes 2-12, Janet 1-60, A. Boyd 1-25, Hawes 1-20, Lane 1- 6.
Missed Field Goal_Notre Dame, Yoakam 46. Georgia Tech, Building 35.
