Ahead of their Sugar Bowl matchup with Georgia, Notre Dame’s head coach, Marcus Freeman emphasized the importance of spending the holidays as a team. He expressed gratitude for the privilege of being able to celebrate Christmas with his football program, especially while preparing for a College Football Playoff game.
The Fighting Irish are gearing up to face Georgia on January 1, 2025, in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, set to take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Notre Dame secured their spot after defeating Indiana 27-17 on December 20, advancing to this pivotal game.
Freeman reflected on how special the experience was, stating that many college football teams would love the opportunity to compete in such a game. He made it clear that his players are focused on the upcoming challenge, with no one expressing a desire to head home during the holidays.
The winner of this exciting game will move on to face the victor of the Penn State-Boise State game, which takes place on December 31. That team will then advance to the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida, on January 9.
Freeman and his team are preparing to face a Georgia squad that will be without their usual starting quarterback, Carson Beck, who is sidelined with an elbow injury. In his absence, Georgia will rely on sophomore quarterback Gunner Stockton to lead the offense.
Despite this shift, Freeman noted that Notre Dame’s preparation for the game has remained focused and steady. He pointed out that Georgia’s offense wouldn’t change drastically just because of the quarterback change. Stockton, Freeman observed, is capable of making quick decisions, extending plays with his legs, and adjusting well within Georgia’s system.
Since suffering an unexpected loss to Northern Illinois on September 7, Notre Dame has won 11 straight games. Freeman mentioned how that defeat was a turning point for the team, teaching them valuable lessons.
Reflecting on the loss, Freeman shared that he had encouraged his players to learn from the setback and use it as motivation. He recalled telling the team that it would be a tough week, but that they could grow stronger by facing adversity head-on. The team’s preparation and mindset have been critical to their success moving forward.
