(Photo: John Mattera)
On August 31, Notre Dame’s 2024 odyssey began.
Before a crowd of 107,315 crazed fans at Texas A&M, the Irish triumphed. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price scored explosive touchdown runs, establishing a theme for the season. The 7th-ranked Irish notched their first victory, defeating the 20th-ranked Aggies, 23-13.
Seven days later, the narrative reversed itself in devastatingly spectacular fashion. Notre Dame entered its first home game of the season as a 28.5-point favorite against the Northern Illinois Huskies but walked out with a shocking 16-14 loss. The defeat all but erased their hopes of a College Football Playoff berth.
The only way still in was to reel off 10 straight wins.
Now ranked 18th, the Irish traveled to Purdue the following week, taking out their frustrations in a 66-7 thrashing. Quarterback Leonard didn’t throw a touchdown pass but ran for three as the Irish climbed to 17th in the rankings, though they still had a long way to redeem their season.
Next up was Miami (Ohio), where progress came in baby steps. Leonard threw his first touchdown pass of the year, a 38-yarder to Beaux Collins, and ran for two more scores. Notre Dame prevailed 28-3.
The Irish then faced 15th-ranked Louisville, seeking payback for a 2023 upset loss. Notre Dame’s offense continued to improve, with Leonard tossing two touchdown passes. The Irish secured their second win over a ranked opponent.
After a bye to start October, the now 11th-ranked Irish hosted Stanford at Notre Dame Stadium. Leonard threw three touchdown passes, and Jeremiyah Love scored a touchdown for the sixth straight game. The Irish prevailed, 24-7, with the defense allowing just 87 passing yards.
Next, the Irish defeated Georgia Tech 31-13 in Atlanta. Leonard completed 20 of 29 passes, Love scored again, and redshirt freshman safety Adon Shuler returned a 36-yard interception for a touchdown.
Notre Dame’s road trip continued on the last Saturday of October in East Rutherford, New Jersey, against previously undefeated Navy. The Irish amassed 466 yards of offense and forced six turnovers. Love extended his scoring streak with a 64-yard touchdown, as the Irish clamped down on the nation’s top-scoring offense in a dominant 51-14 victory.
By then, the Irish were ranked 8th and riding a seven-game winning streak. Their next opponent was blue-blood Florida State in a night game at Notre Dame Stadium. The Irish delivered a statement win, dismantling the Seminoles 52-3. Jadarian Price set the tone with a 65-yard touchdown run, Leonard contributed two more scores, and Love extended his streak to nine consecutive games with a touchdown. Luke Talich capped the night with a 79-yard pick-six.
On Senior Day, November 16, Virginia became the latest victim, falling 35-14. Love electrified the crowd with a 76-yard touchdown, and the Irish defense forced five turnovers, and Rylie Mills had three sacks. The victory solidified Notre Dame’s place in the College Football Playoff, provided they could win out.
Two barriers remained.
First was a Shamrock Series showdown with 10-0, 18th-ranked Army at Yankee Stadium. Head coach Marcus Freeman emphasized that “violence” would be necessary to overcome the Cadets, and the Irish delivered on both sides of the ball. Army was held to just 233 yards of total offense, while Love and Price each scored two touchdowns. Freshman Aneyas Williams joined the explosive play parade with a 58-yard touchdown.
Now ranked 6th, Notre Dame’s drive to the College Football Playoff came to a climax at the LA Coliseum against historic rival USC. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price both delivered sensational performances, each contributing scores, (Love set the all time ND record for consecutive game scoring a TD at 12) and the Irish never trailed. But, the game remained tight until a dramatic sequence in the final minutes.
With USC poised to tie the game with four minutes remaining, cornerback Christian Gray intercepted a pass near the goal line and raced 99 yards for a touchdown. Just a minute later, safety Xavier Watts pulled off an improbable daily double, intercepting another USC pass and returning it 100 yards down the USC sideline for a score. Notre Dame secured a thrilling 49-35 victory.
The 11-1 Irish, riding a dominant 10-game winning streak, had punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff.