Georgia bounced from playoffs in loss to Notre Dame

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The Georgia Bulldogs were eliminated from the College Football Playoff after a 23-10 loss in the Sugar Bowl.

The Dawgs dominated the stat sheet in every way but the one that mattered. Quarterback Gunner Stockton racked up 225 passing yards, more yards than Notre Dame had total. Dillon Bell was Stockton’s favorite receiver with five catches, but Bell only racked up 34 yards.

The referees also came down hard on Notre Dame, calling nine penalties on the Irish for 70 total yards. One key penalty in the fourth quarter put the Bulldogs at Notre Dame’s 14-yard line, but Georgia was unable to score.

The Fighting Irish scored the bulk of their points in a 54-second span of game time. Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter nailed a field goal with 39 seconds remaining in the half, giving the Dawgs the ball on their own 25.

A blitz got to Gunner Stockton with 33 seconds left in the half, setting up a passing touchdown for the Irish.

Notre Dame then got the ball to start the second half, when Jayden Harrison returned the ball 98 yards to the house on the opening kick.

The Fighting Irish scored just six points outside of that 54-second span, both field goal kicks by Jeter.

The highlight for the Bulldogs was a 32-yard touchdown pass to running back Cash Jones midway through the third quarter.

With the loss, every team that received a bye in the College Football Playoff has been eliminated. Oregon lost to Ohio State in the Rose Bowl, Boise State lost to Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl and Arizona State lost to Texas in the Peach Bowl.

Notre Dame will play Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9 in Miami.

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