Notre Dame previews Sugar Bowl matchup vs Georgia

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- With the Quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff just days away, ABC57's LeVon Whittaker asked the players about more than just the matchup.

For days, weeks, and months, players and coaches have given the same response when asked about their next opponent.

Things like "It's just another game" or "We're not overlooking this team". With the Bulldogs next on the schedule, media members have heard the same song. So how about something different?

The Irish has only faced one team from the SEC. The Texas A&M Aggies in week one and Notre Dame came out on top 23-13. But Georgia is light years ahead of the Aggies and are known for being a tough and gritty defense. Does that mean they hit harder than Notre Dame's other opponents?

"Well, let me tell you about those military academy guys. They know how to hit as well, the Navy and Army guys. SEC, Navy, Army, any other team we face, it's football at the end of the day. We're Notre Dame and people want to come after you," Running Back Jadarian Price said.

"I guess the only SEC team that I played is A&M and I didn't really notice the difference. So, I mean, these dudes are freaks, right? But, I mean, I've taking a lot of hits in my career. So, you know, a hits a hit. I probably won't feel it to the next day anyway," Quarterback Riley Leonard said.

Hope Riley doesn't feel it after the game, when talking to his family. At least the ones he can get tickets for.

"Luckily, like most people know, like not to hit me up. So they'll, like, go through my parents, but I'm gonna need a lot of tickets," Leonard added.

Leonard grew up just three hours from New Orleans, in Fairhope, Alabama.

I already hit up James (Rendell) the Aussie. I was like, dude, there's no way you got six people from Australia coming to New Orleans. So, I think he should be able to give me some" Leonard mentioned.

Leonard isn't the only player with some ties to this game. Senior Wideout Jayden Thomas grew up in Georgia and as you can imagine, many of the people he grew up root for the Bulldogs.

"It's exciting. All my friends are basically Georgia fans. So, it's pretty cool being a Georgia guy. You know, I got a lot of friends over there on that other team," Thomas said.