No. 7 Notre Dame handles No. 10 Indiana, wins 27-17 in CFP first round matchup

Notre Dame manhandled Indiana in the expanded College Football Playoff’s first game, winning 27-17. It was the lowest-scoring performance by the Hoosiers all season, putting an end to the program’s historic season to an end.

Although Indiana opened the contest with an interception and red zone opportunity, the game flipped on its head after Notre Dame’s interception and 98-yard rushing touchdown. By the 58th minute of the game, the Fighting Irish were leading 27-3 behind 394 total yards — 201 receiving yards and 193 rushing yards. 

The Fighting Irish neutralized the Hoosiers’ high-flying offense, forcing six punts and an interception. Indiana didn’t roll over, though, catching lightning in a bottle and scoring back-to-back touchdowns helped by a successful onside kick in the last two minutes of the game.

Notre Dame laid the comeback to rest after stopping the Hoosiers’ two-point conversion attempt on the second touchdown drive.

The Fighting Irish will face Georgia in the second round at the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.