Notre Dame Defeats Georgia in Playoff Quarterfinal

In a surprising upset, Notre Dame defeated Georgia 23-10 in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, marking the Fighting Irish's first major postseason victory since 1994. The game was postponed due to a tragic terrorist attack in New Orleans, which coach Marcus Freeman acknowledged in his postgame comments. Notre Dame scored 17 points in a brief but decisive period, extending their winning streak to 12 games and setting a school record for victories in a season. Financially, Notre Dame's independent status has proven advantageous, allowing the program to retain all $4 million associated with its playoff appearance, unlike conference teams that must share funds. If Notre Dame continues to advance, their potential earnings could reach $20 million, significantly more than their conference counterparts. As they prepare for a semifinal matchup against Penn State, the Fighting Irish are not only celebrating their on-field success but also their financial windfall from the playoff system.