The Fighting Irish extended their lead, finding the end zone again behind Leonard’s five-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jayden Thomas to complete a 16-play, 83-yard drive.

Unable to punch it in on first down, Leonard faked the handoff and found Thomas wide open in the middle of the end zone. 

The 14-point deficit is the second-largest deficit Indiana has faced all season.

#CFB Riley Leonard➡️ Jayden Thomas

Notre Dame 14 | Indiana 🥚 #GoIrish #NeverDaunted pic.twitter.com/SASclyFAmW

— WB Network (@WBNetwork72) December 21, 2024

Notre Dame-Indiana’s wild start just got wilder.

Actually, wilder might be an understatement.

Following Watts’ interception, running back Jeremiyah Love capitalized on the opportunity in the biggest way, breaking away down the left sideline and winning the foot race for a 98-yard rushing touchdown on the first play of the drive. The Fighting Irish take a 7-0 lead.

It’s the program’s longest run since Josh Adams in 2015 against Wake Forest.

JEREMIYAH LOVE GOES 98 YARDS 🤯🔥

THE 12-TEAM CFP IS OFFICIALLY HERE 🍿 pic.twitter.com/zCOZ2E0yWO

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 21, 2024

Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke’s first red zone interception couldn’t have come at a worst time.

The Hoosiers seemed to find its rhythm just four minutes into the game, intercepting Leonard and wide receiver Cedarius Doss making a jaw-dropping catch to put Indiana at Notre Dame’s 17-yard line.

That’s when defensive back Xavier Watts shut the party down, intercepting Rourke and hand his offense the ball back at the 2-yard line. It’s Watts’ sixth interception of the season.

Throwing near Xavier Watts is a mistake

pic.twitter.com/UGlfPkABPf

— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 21, 2024

The Hoosiers’ defense has answered the bell early, intercepting Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard on the Fighting Irish’s first offensive possession of the game.

Attempting to connect with wideout Deion Colzie, Leonard’s pass was batted in the air by defensive lineman James Carpenter and caught by defensive back D’Angelo Pods. 

It was Pods, who was named to the All-Big Ten first team, third interception of the year. Indiana takes over at Notre Dame’s 41-yard line.

Indiana with the early interception in Notre dame territory.

pic.twitter.com/EslvKEfnC7

— Jasey Smith (@tennis4life13) December 21, 2024

One of college football’s most historic nights is here. 

In the College Football Playoff’s first-ever 12-team tournament, Notre Dame and Indiana kick off the CFP where more than state bragging rights are on the line. The two teams will battle for a trip to the CFP’s second round and matchup with second-ranked Georgia.

Separated by just 200 miles, the Hoosiers enter the contest behind arguably their best season in school history. The Fighting Irish hope to turn around their fortune in the CFP, currently sitting at 0-2. It’s the first meeting between Indiana and Notre Dame since 1991.

What better way to kick off the 12-team College Football Playoff than a snow game. 

South Bend, Indiana and Notre Dame Stadium were filled with snow this morning — an environment that the tournament has never played in before. 

Although snow has slowed throughout the day and isn’t forecasted for game time, expect below 25-degree weather with cold and windy conditions.

7am in South Bend. cars already lined up waiting to get on campus. a light snowfall.

Happy CFP Friday to all who observe. pic.twitter.com/XdceIDqmPG

— Mike Golic Jr (@mikegolicjr) December 20, 2024

No. 7 Notre Dame will host No. 10 Indiana in the first game of the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff tonight. The game will be played on Friday, Dec. 20 at Notre Dame Stadium.

• WHEN: 8 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 20
• TV: ABC/ESPN
• STREAMING: WatchESPN

The first game of the 12-team playoff is an in-state rivalry between two 11-1 teams as No. 7 Notre Dame will host No. 10 Indiana on Friday, December 20 at Notre Dame Stadium.

Notre Dame enters the playoff on 10-game winning streak, including big wins over Army and Southern Cal in their last two games where the Irish combined for 98 points. Quarterback Riley Leonard has thrown just eight incompletions over the last two games, as ND prioritizes running the football. Running back Jerimiyah Love ranks near the top of the nation with 15 rushing touchdowns on the season.

In the midst of the best season in program history, Indiana looks to keep the magic going behind first-year head coach Curt Cignetti. Transfer quarterback Kurtis Rourke has led the Indiana football revolution, ranking top-10 in completion percentage and passing touchdowns. Indiana ranks second in the nation in scoring offense after a season-high 66 points in their last game.

The final College Football Playoff rankings of the season set the bracket for the 2024 College Football Playoff. Here is the full top-25:

The winner of Notre Dame and Indiana will move on to face No. 2 Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, 2025.

Since the College Football Playoff was established in 2014, seven teams have won a national championship. Michigan won the last version of the four-team playoff in 2023.

Here is every College Football Playoff Champion: