Notre Dame Greets New Georgia Punter By Running Into Him on Back-to-Back Plays

The Fighting Irish painfully welcomed Drew Miller to college football.

Bryce Young (right) celebrates No. 16 Notre Dame's 31–24 win over No. 15 Louisville on Sept. 28, 2024. | MICHAEL CLUBB/SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"Drew Miller ready to meet the moment as he takes over as Georgia punter," a headline from DawgNation's Connor Riley read on Tuesday as the No. 2 Bulldogs prepared for their Sugar Bowl showdown with No. 3 Notre Dame.

On Thursday, the moment met Drew Miller.

With 11:59 left in the first quarter, Miller lined up for the first punt of his collegiate career—only for Fighting Irish defensive lineman Bryce Young to run into him and draw a five-yard penalty. On the very next play, Young did the same thing.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart declined that penalty, ending Miller's rude welcome to the college game.

Notre Dame runs into the Georgia punter twice in a row! What is going on! I haven’t seen an athlete from Iowa get roughed up this bad since Caitlin Clark in the WNBA. pic.twitter.com/slPP9hJbbd

— Andy froemel (@FroemelAndy) January 2, 2025

Miller is replacing Bulldogs punter Brett Thorson, who was injured in Georgia's 22–19 overtime win over Texas in the SEC championship on Dec. 7. The Mediapolis, Iowa native was a multi-sport athlete in high school and a three-star recruit in class of 2024.

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