Irish Breakdown

Notre Dame Football: 50 Most Important Plays of 2024 Season (#45-41)

Part Two in a series recapping the most important, spectacular and integral plays was in making this Notre Dame team who they were en route to a No. 2 finish.
Jeff Feyerer|
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) calls a play in the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) calls a play in the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

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Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame had one of its best years in many lifetimes, playing all the way to the final game before falling to Ohio State in the National Championship. This is Part Two of a series looking back on the plays that made 2024 so special for the Fighting Irish.

Before you go on - in case you missed it: Plays #50-46

45. Special Start for Special Teams

Play: Max Hurleman - Opening Kickoff Fumble Recovery
Game: vs. Virginia, November 16th
Down/Distance: Opening Kickoff
Score After: 0-0
Quarter, Time: 1st, 14:56

Plays in Top 50 From This Game: 2nd and 2

No one really thought Virginia stood a chance against the Irish on Senior Day, but the start was even quicker than most expected. The opening kickoff bounced off the chest of the Virginia returner, took one more bounce off the ground and right into the arms of Max Hurleman.

Though his return didn't stand, Jeremiyah Love capitalized soon after to give the Irish a 7-0 lead they wouldn't relinquish.

44. Leonard to Evans Before the Half

Play: Riley Leonard 12-yard TD Pass to Mitchell Evans
Game: vs. Florida State, November 9
Down/Distance: 1st and 10 on FSU 12
Score After: 14-3
Quarter, Time: 2nd, 0:17
Plays in Top 50 From This Game: 1st and 2

The Irish were playing with their food a little in the first half against a moribund Florida State squad, who was sitting at 1-8.

The Seminoles, whose hope of capitalizing on a stellar 2023 season dissipated early in 2024, lost any shred of hope in this one when Leonard hooked up with Evans on the slot fade for a score.

43. A Sign of Things to Come

Play: Mitch Jeter 46-yard Field Goal
Game: at Texas A&M, August 31
Down/Distance: 4th and 3 on A&M 29
Score After: 3-3
Quarter, Time: 1st, 6:39
Plays in Top 50 from This Game: 1st and 8

Mitch Jeter banging home a long field goal early on in this one was important for a couple of reasons.

The kick tied up a close game on the road in what would be a tight match throughout. But more importantly, it showed the Irish had a kicker who could potentially thrive in high pressure moments.

More on that in a moment ...

42. Hoosier Nail in the Coffin

Play: Riley Leonard 5-yd TD pass to Jayden Thomas
Game: vs. Indiana, December 20
Down/Distance: 2nd and goal on the Indiana 5
Score After: 14-0 (after XP)
Quarter, Time: 2nd, 12:52
Plays In Top 50 From This Game: 1st and 4

It was still relatively early in this one, but the way the Irish defense was playing, it might as well have been over.

Thomas's score came at the end of a 16-play, 83-yard drive that ate up 9:08 off the clock. For that drive to follow directly after Jeremiyah Love's 98-yard run on the previous drive showed the Irish could beat you with explosiveness and controlling the game, forcing their opponent into a slow death.

41. They Finally Did It!

Play: Riley Leonard to Beaux Collins 38-yard TD pass
Game: vs. Miami University, September 21
Down/Distance: 1st and 10 on MIA 38
Score After: 14-3
Quarter, Time: 2nd, 1:05
Plays In Top 50 From This Game: 1st of 1

Almost three-and-a-half games in, Irish fans were wondering if Riley Leonard would even throw a touchdown pass. That may be exaggerating a little, but it's not too far off.

Notre Dame was struggling to get going on a hot day in South Bend until Collins burnt past a Miami cornerback and hauled in a beautiful ball from Leonard. It was a big score to send the Irish into halftime with a double-digit lead, but it wouldn't be the most important connection of the season from these two.

In case you missed it: Plays #50-46

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Jeff Feyerer
JEFF FEYERER

Contributor to various publications on football and basketball, including CollegeFootballNews and Fighting Irish Wire, and former college football podcast host. Notre Dame football historian and recent grad with his Masters in Business Analytics (MSBA '25). Current youth football coach.

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