If you were looking for the score of the indiana notre dame football game recently, you probably noticed the internet was buzzing about a matchup that hadn’t happened in over three decades. It wasn't just another game. It was a massive collision in the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff on December 20, 2024.
The final score was Notre Dame 27, Indiana 17.
It sounds like a standard two-score game, right? Well, it wasn't. For Indiana fans, this was the culmination of a "magical season" under Curt Cignetti that almost nobody saw coming. For Notre Dame, it was about defending their turf in the first-ever on-campus playoff game at Notre Dame Stadium.
Breaking down the score of the indiana notre dame football game
The game started with an absolute gut-punch for the Hoosiers. On the third play from scrimmage, Jeremiyah Love exploded for a 98-yard touchdown run. Just like that, it was 7-0. The stadium was literally shaking.
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Notre Dame didn’t stop there. Riley Leonard, the Irish quarterback, was a dual-threat nightmare all night. He accounted for two more scores, helping the Irish build a lead that Indiana just couldn't quite overcome. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, it felt like Notre Dame was in total control.
But honestly, Indiana didn't just roll over. Kurtis Rourke and the Hoosiers offense struggled for three quarters against a brutal Irish defense, but they made it interesting late. They actually put up 14 points in the final 87 seconds of the game. If you walked away early to beat the South Bend traffic, you missed the most chaotic part of the night.
Why this specific matchup mattered so much
To understand why everyone was searching for the score of the indiana notre dame football game, you have to look at the history. Before that December night in 2024, these two programs hadn’t played each other since 1991. That’s 33 years of silence between two major schools in the same state.
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- The Postseason Stakes: It was the first round of the new CFP format.
- The Drought: Indiana was looking for its first win against the Irish since 1950.
- The Venue: Notre Dame Stadium hosting a playoff game in December was basically a cinematic event.
Notre Dame leads the all-time series 24-5-1. Most of Indiana's wins happened when the forward pass was barely a thing—specifically between 1898 and 1906. The 1950 victory, where the Hoosiers won 20-7, remains the last time they actually beat the Irish.
A closer look at the 2024 stats
- Total Yards: Notre Dame 394, Indiana 278.
- Rushing: The Irish dominated here with 193 yards compared to Indiana’s 63.
- Key Performer: Jeremiyah Love (ND) had 108 rushing yards on only 8 carries.
- The Quarterback Battle: Kurtis Rourke threw for 215 yards and 2 TDs, while Riley Leonard managed the game perfectly with 201 passing yards and two total touchdowns.
What’s next for the IU vs Notre Dame rivalry?
If you're disappointed by the recent score of the indiana notre dame football game, the good news is we won't have to wait another 33 years for a rematch. The schools have already signed a home-and-home series.
Mark your calendars for August 31, 2030. The Irish will host the Hoosiers again in South Bend. Then, in 2031, Notre Dame travels to Bloomington for the first time since that historic 1950 upset. It’s a long wait, but in the world of college football scheduling, it’s practically right around the corner.
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Actionable steps for fans
If you want to keep up with this rivalry or relive the 2024 playoff drama, here is what you can do:
- Watch the Condensed Replay: Most sports networks have a 15-minute "extended highlights" version of the 2024 CFP First Round. It’s worth it just to see the 98-yard opening run.
- Check the 2030 Tickets: While they aren't on sale yet, keep an eye on the IU and Notre Dame athletic sites around 2028 if you want to be in the stands for the next one.
- Follow the Transfer Portal: Both teams are heavy hitters in the portal right now. Keeping an eye on where top Midwest talent goes will tell you a lot about the 2030 matchup long before it happens.
The 27-17 score might be etched in the record books now, but the "what-if" factor of the Indiana and Notre Dame rivalry is very much alive again.