It was the game that felt like a fever dream for most Bulldog fans. If you’re asking who won Georgia or Notre Dame, the short answer is that the Fighting Irish finally broke their curse against the Dawgs. On January 2, 2025, in a New Orleans atmosphere that was already heavy with outside tension, Notre Dame secured a 23-10 victory over Georgia in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
This wasn't just another bowl game. It was a College Football Playoff (CFP) Quarterfinal, and the stakes were basically "win or go home." Georgia came in as the No. 2 seed, favored by many despite missing their veteran signal-caller, Carson Beck. Notre Dame, the No. 7 seed, walked into the Caesars Superdome and played like they had everything to prove. Honestly, it was a defensive masterclass from Marcus Freeman’s squad that turned the tide.
The Night the Irish Stunned the Bulldogs
For decades, Georgia had Notre Dame's number. They beat them for a national title in 1981. They squeaked out wins in 2017 and 2019. But the 2025 Sugar Bowl flipped the script.
The game started as a total slog. Zero-zero after the first quarter. You could feel the nerves in the stadium. Then, things got weird. Notre Dame managed to score 17 points in a span of just 54 seconds of game time across the second and third quarters. That's not a typo.
👉 See also: NFL Fantasy Pick Em: Why Most Fans Lose Money and How to Actually Win
Mitch Jeter nailed a 48-yard field goal with 39 seconds left in the half. Then, a Gunner Stockton fumble gave the Irish the ball right back, leading to a Beaux Collins touchdown catch just 12 seconds later. To cap off the nightmare for Georgia, Jayden Harrison took the opening kickoff of the second half 98 yards to the house. Suddenly, a 3-3 tie was a 20-3 Notre Dame lead.
Georgia’s offense, led by Gunner Stockton, tried to claw back. Stockton hit Cash Jones for a 32-yard score in the third, but that was it. The Irish defense was a wall. They stopped Georgia on all three of their fourth-down attempts. When the Dawgs had a chance to make it a one-score game in the fourth, they jumped offside on a crucial 4th-and-5. It was a mental error that effectively ended the season for Kirby Smart.
Why This Matchup Was Different
Usually, when you talk about who won Georgia or Notre Dame, you're talking about a close, grinding SEC-style game. This one had those elements, but the quarterback situation was the elephant in the room.
✨ Don't miss: Inter Miami vs Toronto: What Really Happened in Their Recent Clashes
- The Carson Beck Factor: Beck was out with an elbow injury from the SEC Championship. Gunner Stockton played okay (234 yards), but he didn't have that "it" factor needed to break down a top-tier Irish secondary.
- The Riley Leonard Era: Leonard wasn't flashy through the air (only 88 yards), but he ran for 65 and managed the game perfectly. He didn't turn the ball over. In a game of inches, that's everything.
- Turnover Margin: Georgia lost two fumbles. Notre Dame lost zero. You can't give a Marcus Freeman defense extra possessions and expect to survive.
Notre Dame’s defense, led by safety Xavier Watts, held Georgia to just 10 points. That's the lowest output for the Bulldogs in a long, long time. It snapped Georgia's seven-game winning streak in bowl and CFP games.
Historic Record: Georgia vs. Notre Dame
Before this 2025 upset, the history was heavily lopsided. People often forget how rare this matchup actually is. They've only played four times in history.
- 1981 Sugar Bowl: Georgia wins 17-10. This was the Herschel Walker game. It gave Georgia their first consensus national title.
- 2017 South Bend: Georgia wins 20-19. Thousands of Bulldogs fans took over Notre Dame Stadium. It was a sea of red.
- 2019 Athens: Georgia wins 23-17. A night game at Sanford Stadium that was arguably the loudest the place has ever been.
- 2025 Sugar Bowl: Notre Dame wins 23-10. The first time the Irish ever beat the Bulldogs.
The series now stands at 3-1 in favor of Georgia. It’s kinda wild that two of the most storied programs in the country have only seen each other four times, and half of those were in the Sugar Bowl.
🔗 Read more: Matthew Berry Positional Rankings: Why They Still Run the Fantasy Industry
What's Next for Both Programs?
If you're looking ahead to 2026, the schedules are already out. Georgia is heading back to a brutal SEC slate. They open with Tennessee State and Western Kentucky before diving into the meat of the conference. Interestingly, there isn't a scheduled rematch with Notre Dame for the 2026 regular season.
Notre Dame is continuing their independent run, but after proving they can take down the SEC’s best in the playoffs, the "independent" label doesn't seem to hold them back much. Coach Marcus Freeman has officially cleared the "can't win the big one" hurdle.
Key Stats from the Last Game
| Category | Notre Dame | Georgia |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 23 | 10 |
| Total Yards | 244 | 296 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| 4th Down Conv. | 0-1 | 0-3 |
| Time of Possession | 30:56 | 29:04 |
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're trying to track the next time these giants might meet, keep an eye on the expanded 12-team playoff format. Since they aren't scheduled for regular-season play in 2026, the postseason is the only place we'll see this rivalry renewed.
- Watch the Injury Reports: As we saw with Carson Beck, the outcome of who won Georgia or Notre Dame came down to who was healthy at the most important position.
- Check Recruiting Classes: Georgia's 2026 class is already looking top-tier, but Notre Dame has been stealing talent out of the Southeast lately.
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: Both teams are active here. If a star QB enters the portal, expect both Smart and Freeman to be on the phone.
The 2025 Sugar Bowl changed the narrative. Notre Dame isn't just a "storied program" anymore; they're a team that can physically match up with the bullies of the SEC. Georgia, meanwhile, is in a bit of a transition phase, looking to see if Stockton or a new face will lead them back to the mountain top in 2026.
To stay updated on the latest schedule changes or injury news for the 2026 season, check the official athletic sites for the Georgia Bulldogs and Notre Dame Fighting Irish regularly. Local beat writers on X (formerly Twitter) often have the scoop on practice reps and depth chart shifts before the major networks.