Notre Dame heads to its quarterfinal battle against No. 2 Georgia with the neuro-memory of mounting a massive 27-17 victory against the Hoosiers. But how much that weighs against a team like Georgia? That is a question to critically watch out for. No that, Indiana and coach Curt Cignetti had a historic season. But in the playoff sphere, they are a newbie, lacking experience dealing with any pressure point in the game. Can the Irish keep up the momentum and dish the same hitch to Georgia with Riley Leonard in the catbird seat?

If you’re Notre Dame, against Kirby Smart’s Georgia who has been there, and done that, you can’t expect the same walkover as the one against Indiana. On the top, Rylie Mills, the season’s sack leader, will miss the epic Sugar Bowl. Can an unfathomable offense led by Riley Leonard get the job done? Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden has some deeper insight. ”’ So we feel badly for (Mills), Riley came back for all the right reasons and just had an immense year just an immense year on all accounts right just production leadership, technique uh flexibility you know his ability to run, his ability to rush to passer just really improved in all those elements so number one you feel badly for the young man but at the same time … we just don’t flinch,’‘ Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden said. ”We move forward. It’s time for somebody else to have an opportunity, and I know they’ll be ready.”

The Fighting Irish hit the bridge too much in the last game in their defensive line with DL Rylie Mills, sacking Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke on the first play of the second half and leaving the field with a knee injury. But the defense lost his key players in the past as well and still sustained big challenges. They need to do it once more but for that matter, Leonard Riley should come up with his absolute best.

”He’s a great challenge, you know, I mean, he can first of all if you don’t keep him in the pocket he can create but it’s not as simp simple as that because he can throw the ball really well down the field as well and he has some guys down the field that can make plays so it’s not as simple as well you know just keep him in the pocket but that’s that’s not it you know he’s got a Plan B all the time,” Al Golden has high hopes for the QB phenom, ”So again if you’re if you’re dropping more into coverage he’s going to beat you with his with his legs, if you pressure and miss, you know, he’s either going to convert down the field with a throw or you know, convert with his leg so and then obviously, you know, the added dimension of just having to get an extra hat you know to the play at all times.”

However, Riley Leonard has his slips to take care of as well. He isn’t a frequent passer of the ball like other quarterbacks, rather he is more focused on establishing the ground game. Also, he messed up with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this year. He threw a pick early against the Hoosiers. A storied Georgia defense can manipulate this area to get the better of him and pave their way to a win.

Riley Leonard is thankful for past mistakes

But Leonard is a firm believer in turning a setback into a comeback narrative. He has largely monitored what went wrong in the pathetic mid-season loss against Northern Illinois and showcased significant growth afterward. The impact QB said the unconventional truth with a pinch of hesitation. He is thankful for the past loss. He wants to keep it clear for his teammates and himself: ‘Keep that pain‘ before every game.

Riley is on point. After the tragic 16-14 in the second game of the season, Notre Dame’s defense answered with their 11-game winning streak. Although the offense struggled a bit to get there, there are clear signs of progress. They just need to be the same consistent against Georgia and dodge the Dawgs’ curated theory for stopping Riley Leonard.

It’s not the rushing yard, Georgia defense will be bothered off, rather it’s the secondary where Riley tends to extend plays will be the area of their target.

Time to be on high guard for Riley Leonard and the entire Notre Dame squad!