SOUTH BEND, Ind. — After transferring from Duke to Notre Dame for the upcoming 2024 season, quarterback Riley Leonard quickly oriented himself with his new team. He made an effort to foster connections by inviting six of his Fighting Irish receivers to his home in Fairhope, Alabama, where they trained with former NFL star Philip Rivers ahead of their season opener.
One of the receivers who joined Leonard on the trip, Jayden Thomas, humorously recalled their fishing expedition, lamenting, “I didn’t catch anything.” However, on the football field, Thomas found success, catching a 5-yard touchdown pass from Leonard during Notre Dame’s 27-17 triumph over Indiana in the first round of the College Football Playoffs (CPF). This victory secured the seventh-seeded Fighting Irish (12-1) a spot in the quarterfinals against second-seeded Georgia (11-2) on Wednesday at the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.
This season, Notre Dame has been a scoring powerhouse, averaging 38.8 points per game, which ranks fourth nationally. A significant part of this offensive success stems from an effective running game led by dynamic running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jardarian Price, complemented by Leonard’s agile playstyle.
While the Fighting Irish excel in rushing offense, placed 11th in the nation with 222.4 yards per game, their passing attack has struggled, ranking 100th with an average of 196.8 yards. Enhancing the aerial game will be vital in their strategy against Georgia, a task that has seen progress thanks to Leonard’s initiatives in cultivating rapport with his receivers.
Initially, Leonard faced challenges connecting with his teammates, having thrown 115 passes before achieving his first touchdown during the second quarter of a game against Miami of Ohio, which was also Notre Dame’s fourth matchup of the season. In those early games, he completed 73 of 117 attempts, yielding 587 yards and resulting in a total of 131 points scored in matchups against teams like No. 20 Texas A&M, Purdue, and Northern Illinois. Notably, 66 points came against a struggling Purdue team.
In contrast, Leonard’s performance improved significantly in his last four games, where he completed 72 of 100 passes, achieving an impressive 72% completion rate for 718 yards and throwing for eight touchdowns. Over this period, Notre Dame amassed 160 points against opponents, including No. 18 Army and No. 9 Indiana. His quarterback rating also jumped from 70.7 in the early games to 106.2 in the latter half of the season.
Leonard is among a select group of five Power 4 quarterbacks this season who have passed for over 1,900 yards and rushed for over 700. He attributes this progress to developing a strong sense of trust and communication with his receivers. “I think my relationship with those guys off the field is kind of the thing I’m most proud about,” Leonard shared, praising his teammates’ maturity in understanding defenses and communication.
With a formidable Georgia defense on the horizon, controlling the line of scrimmage becomes imperative for Notre Dame. Leonard noted that winning individual matchups among receivers and effectively spreading the field will be crucial. Protection from sacks and maintaining positive yardage will also be vital for Notre Dame’s passing success.
Georgia’s defense has faced challenges from mobile quarterbacks this season, with various players like Jalen Milroe and Haynes King finding success on runs against the Bulldogs. Leonard’s ability to scramble could pose a significant threat to Georgia’s D-line.
He clarified that while his legs can be an asset, he does not feel compelled to use them as a primary strategy for winning games. “I never really forced the running thing with my legs,” Leonard commented, emphasizing a balanced approach.
Despite this, he noted a certain inevitability when situations arise: “If you got to put your shoulder down, you know, you got to put your shoulder down,” he joked about coaches’ attempts to temper his running instincts.
The impressive dual-threat capabilities of Leonard caught the attention of Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, who recognized Leonard’s talent during their match-up. “There was a point in the game it appeared we were starting to put some pressure on Riley Leonard, near the end of the first half,” Cignetti acknowledged. His remarks praise Leonard’s quick release and ability to make clutch plays under pressure, highlighting the necessity of such skills for Notre Dame as they seek advancement in the CFP.
