The matchup between Georgia and Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl has a classic feel, and for good reason.
Linebacker Jack Kiser from Notre Dame and tight end Oscar Delp from Georgia both know about the first meeting of their famous teams in the Superdome at the end of the 1980 season — long before they were born. A national title was on the line, and a freshman named Herschel Walker (who ran for 150 yards and two touchdowns) helped Georgia win 17-10.
This time, the stakes aren’t as high, but it’s still an important game. On Wednesday night, No. 2 Georgia (11-2, CFP No. 2 seed) and No. 3 Notre Dame (11-1, CFP No. 5 seed) will face off in the same historic bowl. This year, the Sugar Bowl is part of the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, with the winner advancing to the semifinal at the Orange Bowl in Miami.
Kiser, a 24-year-old defensive captain who has spent six years at Notre Dame, shared his excitement: “When you get two big brands together in a stage like the Sugar Bowl, and to know it’s happened before, with some big names that played in the game, and to understand it has so much on the line this time, too, it’s exciting.”
“As a player who gets to live it, and as a guy who’s obsessed with the history of the game and the tradition of the game, it’s certainly just amazing to be a part of,” Kiser said.
Delp mentioned how Georgia players have spent part of the past week watching old footage of the 1980 Bulldogs’ title-winning game in the Superdome on January 1, 1981.
“To have a guy like (Walker) who got to play in this game and now we’re getting to do it, and to get to play in a stadium that all the greats have played in, it’s super special,” Delp said. “It’s stuff you dream about.”
Notre Dame’s head coach Marcus Freeman joked that he was “thankful that we don’t have to play Herschel Walker.” However, he also noted that the team will need to focus on defending other challenging running backs like Nate Frasier and Louisiana native Trevor Etienne.
