When Notre Dame football takes on the Georgia Bulldogs in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, it will be just the fourth all-time meeting between the two historic programs.
The first game played was in 1981, again in the Sugar Bowl, with the Irish coming up just short, 17-10. Notre Dame was favored by a point, but two touchdowns by Herschel Walker was the difference.
It would be over 35-years until their next meeting in 2017, a heart-breaking 1-point loss at home for the Irish, 20-19. Notre Dame just couldn’t find the end zone, as they had to settle for four field goals. With under two minutes left, and the Irish trailing by the single-point, they’d start the drive on their own 19 yard line.
Just three plays into the drive, quarterback Brandon Wimbush would fumble the ball, with the Bulldogs recovering. They’d take a few knees, and the game was over.
Sep 9, 2017; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Josh Adams (33) runs the ball as Georgia Bulldogs safety J.R. Reed (20) pursues in the fourth quarter at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Two years later in 2019, and this time in Athens, the two teams would matchup again, and Notre Dame would endure the same fate.
The Irish took a 10-7 lead into the half, as they looked to upset the Bulldogs, but the second half belonged to the home team. Two field goals and a touchdown in their first three of four second half drives, gave Georgia breathing room. While Notre Dame would cut into the lead on a touchdown connection from quarterback Ian Book to wide receiver Chase Claypool, the comeback again fell short.
Almost the exact same scenario as two years prior, the Irish had a chance to win the game late, only to falter on offense, this time turning the ball over on downs.
Sep 21, 2019; Athens, GA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Tony Jones Jr. (6) runs the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs in the third quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Those are the only three meeting between the two teams, with the fourth having the highest stakes of them all, a date in the College Football Playoff semifinals.
(Note: Result are via winsipedia.com and game information via ESPN.com.)
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