Georgia, Notre Dame give CFP a classic feel

NEW ORLEANS If Georgia playing Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl has a classic ring to it, it should.

Fighting Irish linebacker Jack Kiser and Bulldogs tight end Oscar Delp know all about the first time their storied programs met in the Superdome at the end of the 1980 season some two decades before they were born.

A national championship hung in the balance, and a freshman running back named Herschel Walker (150 yards, two touchdowns rushing) helped the Bulldogs capture it, 17-10.

The stakes wont be quite as high Wednesday night when No.

2 Georgia (11-2, CFP No.

2 seed) and No.

3 Notre Dame (11-1, CFP No.

5 seed) meet in the same storied bowl, but its still pretty big.

The Sugar Bowl was designated a College Football Playoff quarterfinal in this first year of the CFPs expansion to 12 teams.

The winner moves on to a semifinal game at the Orange Bowl in Miami.

When you get two big brands together in a stage like the Sugar Bowl, and to know its happened before, with some big names that played in the game, and to understand it has so much on the line this time, too, its exciting, said Kiser, a 24-year-old defensive captain who has spent six years or as he likes to say, a quarter of my life, at Notre Dame.

As a player who gets to live it, and as a guy whos obsessed with the history of the game and the tradition of the game, its certainly just amazing to be a part of, he said.

Delp said Georgia players have spent part of the past week watching old video of the 1980 Bulldogs title clincher in the Superdome on Jan.

1, 1981.

To have a guy like [Walker] who got to play in this game and now were getting to do it, and to get to play in a stadium that all the greats have played in, its super special, Delp said.

Its stuff you dream about.

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said he was thankful that we dont have to play Herschel Walker.

But weve got some other challenging running backs that weve got to try to defend, he added, referring to Nate Frasier and Louisiana native Trevor Etienne.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard is from Fair Hope, Ala., an upscale coastal community across the Mobile Bay from Mobile.

He spent three years playing for Duke before transferring to Notre Dame, where he has started every game this season, passing for 2,293 yards and 17 TDs to go with 751 yards rushing and 15 TDs.

Gunner Stockton is from rural Georgia, grew up tending to farm animals he especially loves his black angus cows and drives a 1984 Ford pickup that belonged to his grandfather.

Stockton also is a career backup who was thrust into Georgias SEC title game triumph against Texas memorably holding on to the ball when his helmet was knocked off by a heavy hit.

Now comes his first start for the Bulldogs in place of the injured Carson Beck, a prolific passer whose Italian sports car made him an NIL poster child.

We got one quarterback thats got a Lamborghini and one quarterback that drives a two-door, F-150, Delp said.

Its crazy times.

To Etienne, Stocktons lifestyle choices are emblematic of his approach to playing quarterback.

Hes not really the one thats into the flashy stuff, Etienne said.

Hes willing to put the work in the dirty, hard work.

Hes not scared.

Stockton didnt sound unnerved by the high stakes attached to his maiden start.

Unlike the SEC title game, when he came in cold and helped steer Georgia to a comeback win, hes had three weeks to prepare as QB1.

Its a big burden, but I enjoy it, Stockton said.

And thats the way its supposed to be.

Outside expectations plummeted for Notre Dame after a stunning loss to Northern Illinois in September.

Inside the locker room, resolve stiffened, Leonard said.

Once you lose a game like that, you cant say any worse things and people cant think many worse things about you, so youve got nothing to do but respond, Leonard said.

Weve had our back against the wall.

...

Every game has been like a playoff game for us ever since that NIU loss.

Theyve won 11 straight since, the latest victory coming against Indiana in the CFPs opening round .

Leonard said the key has been not caring what anyone else thinks and having fun with this thing.

Ive only got one chance at it, he continued.

I would hate to look back and live with any regret..

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