If you were looking for a high-scoring shootout, you basically got half of that. Most people checking the indiana notre dame football score after the fact saw the 27-17 result and figured it was a standard, comfortable win for the Irish. Honestly? It was way weirder than that. This wasn't just another game. It was the first time these two in-state programs had met since 1991, and it happened on the biggest stage imaginable: the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.
The atmosphere in South Bend was electric, but the game itself was a masterclass in frustration for the Hoosiers. For a team that had spent the entire 2024 season lighting up the scoreboard under Curt Cignetti, Indiana looked human for the first time. The final score of 27-17 tells you Notre Dame won, but it doesn't tell you about the 98-yard dagger that essentially ended the game before the first quarter was even over.
The Play That Changed Everything
You've probably seen the highlight by now. If you haven't, you need to. Indiana had actually started the game with some momentum. Kurtis Rourke was moving the ball, and they were deep in Notre Dame territory. Then, the nightmare started. Rourke threw a pass toward the end zone that was picked off by Xavier Watts at the 2-yard line.
One play later? Jeremiyah Love happened.
He didn't just run for a touchdown; he sprinted 98 yards through the heart of the Indiana defense. It tied a school record. It was the longest run in College Football Playoff history. Suddenly, instead of Indiana being up 7-0 or 3-0, they were down 7-0 and completely shell-shocked. That single sequence is why the indiana notre dame football score stayed tilted toward the Irish all night.
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Breaking Down the Scoring by Quarter
It’s kinda fascinating to look at how this game unfolded chronologically. It wasn't a steady climb; it was more like Notre Dame building a fortress and Indiana trying to throw rocks at it until the very last minute.
- First Quarter: Notre Dame led 7-0. That was the Love run. Indiana’s offense was moving but couldn't finish.
- Second Quarter: This is where the gap widened. Riley Leonard threw a 5-yard TD to Jayden Thomas. Indiana managed a field goal from Nicolas Radicic, but Mitch Jeter answered with a 49-yarder right before the half. 17-3 at the break.
- Third Quarter: A total grind. Only three points were scored—another Jeter field goal. 20-3.
- Fourth Quarter: Notre Dame made it 27-3 with a Riley Leonard 1-yard plunge. This is the part where most people turned off the TV. But Indiana scored two touchdowns in the final 90 seconds to make the final score look much more respectable than the game actually felt.
Why the Indiana Notre Dame Football Score Was So Low
Indiana entered this game as one of the highest-scoring teams in the country. They were averaging over 40 points a game. Seeing them stuck at 3 points until the final two minutes of the game was a shock to the system for Hoosier fans.
The Irish defense was just bigger. That's the simplest way to put it. They dominated the trenches. Indiana’s run game was nonexistent, finishing with only 63 yards on 27 carries. When you can't run, you become predictable, and Riley Leonard’s defense exploited that. Rourke was under fire all night, taking three sacks and throwing that costly interception.
Key Stats That Defined the Night
Notre Dame outgained Indiana 394 to 278 in total yardage. But look closer at the time of possession. The Irish held the ball for over 35 minutes. They basically squeezed the life out of the Hoosiers, play by play, until there was nothing left but garbage-time scores.
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Historical Context of the Matchup
Before this 2024 playoff clash, you had to go back to 1991 to find a game between these two. Before that? 1958. It’s a "rivalry" that exists more in geography than on the actual schedule.
Notre Dame has historically dominated this series. They lead 24-5-1. The last time Indiana actually beat Notre Dame was in 1950. Think about that. Harry Truman was in the White House. If you're looking for the last time the Hoosiers won in South Bend, you have to go back to 1898.
What This Score Means for the Future
Even though Indiana lost, the fact that they were in this game at all is a massive win for the program. Cignetti took a team that won three games the year before and put them in a playoff game at Notre Dame Stadium.
For Notre Dame, the win was a validation of Marcus Freeman’s direction. They proved they could handle the pressure of the new playoff format and defend their home turf against a high-octane offense.
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Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're betting on or following these teams in the coming seasons, keep these takeaways in mind:
- Watch the Trenches: Indiana struggled against "NFL-sized" lines. Keep an eye on their recruiting in 2025 and 2026 to see if they address that lack of bulk on the defensive interior.
- Notre Dame’s Identity: The Irish under Freeman are built on defense and a punishing run game. They won't always wow you with passing stats, but they control the clock.
- Future Matchups: Good news for fans—you won't have to wait another 30 years. These two have a home-and-home series scheduled for 2030 and 2031.
The indiana notre dame football score of 27-17 will go down in history as the game that welcomed the 12-team playoff era. It wasn't the "Miracle in South Bend" Indiana hoped for, but it was a clear signal that both programs are currently playing at an elite level.
To track how this loss impacts Indiana's upcoming recruiting class or to see Notre Dame's next opponent in the bracket, check the official NCAA football rankings and the transfer portal trackers, as both teams are expected to be aggressive in the offseason.