Georgia outgained Notre Dame by 52 yards overall, 244 to 296, but two statistics tell the difference in the game: Rushing yards and turnovers.
In a game between two teams built around complimentary football, Notre Dame won both of those battles decisively. The Irish racked up 154 rushing yards compared to just 62 for the Bulldogs. Yet it was Georgia who entered the game with a healthy first-string running back to complement its dual-threat quarterback, as Notre Dame star Jeremiyah Love was limited to just 19 yards on six carries.
But neither QB Gunnar Stockton (-23 yards on 10 carries, including 4 sacks) Trevor Etienne (38 yards on 10 carries) could gain much traction on the ground, though second-string running back Nate Frazier did well with 37 yards on just four carries. It’s a credit to a Notre Dame defensive line playing without its best player, Rylie Mills, and lost its second-best player, Howard Cross III, to an apparent injury in the fourth quarter.
On the other side of the ball, credit is due mainly to Riley Leonard and his team-high 80 yards rushing on 14 carries. Backup RB Jadarian Price added 37 yards on 10 carries including several key chunk plays down the stretch to eliminate the chance of a Georgia comeback.