Riley Leonard helped No. 12 Notre Dame keep its playoff hopes alive by running for two touchdowns, and the Fighting Irish defense was strong after a slow start in their 31-13 win over Georgia Tech on Saturday.
Jeremiyah Love also scored a touchdown with a run, and defensive back Adon Shuler returned an interception for a touchdown from 36 yards out for Notre Dame (6-1). The Fighting Irish limited Georgia Tech (5-3) to just 64 rushing yards.
Leonard rushed for 51 yards as Notre Dame extended its winning streak to five games. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 203 yards, although he did throw one interception during the game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons. He bounced back well after an interception allowed the Yellow Jackets to take a 7-0 lead.
“It’s very easy to get greedy and want to make the explosive play, but throughout my career, I’ve learned that just taking what the defense gives me is what wins ballgames,” Leonard said. “… Settle down, trust your eyes, trust your coaching and you get the job done. And we did a pretty good job with that.”
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman noted that Leonard “came back with the right mindset” after the interception thrown to cornerback Warren Burrell in the first quarter.
“He’s confident. … He’s a confident individual because of the way he prepares. And, you know, he did a great job after that interception leading the offense,” Freeman said.
With Haynes King out due to a shoulder injury, quarterback Zach Pyron started for Georgia Tech for the first time since his freshman season in 2022.
Pyron was effective early, completing his first nine passes, including six during a touchdown drive. Jamal Haynes’ 1-yard run at the end of the first quarter gave the Yellow Jackets a 7-0 lead. Notre Dame then led 31-7 before Pyron threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to Chase Lane with 33 seconds left.
Georgia Tech coach Brent Key praised Pyron’s performance as “gutsy.”
“The guy is tough as nails,” Key said. “We’ve got to be able to step up around him and complement him and help him.”
Leonard led Notre Dame’s strong performance in the second quarter, with nine plays of 10 or more yards. His first touchdown run from the 1 yard capped a 14-play drive, and he added another touchdown run from the 12, bringing his total to 10 rushing touchdowns for the season.
