Transfer U: Notre Dame’s portal players proved their worth in Sugar Bowl
By Tyler Horka
NEW ORLEANS — If you’re a Notre Dame fan who had a chance to come down from what occurred in the final minute of the first half of the Sugar Bowl during the game’s 22-minute halftime, then you probably got even more excited realizing the Fighting Irish were getting the ball to start the second half after quickly turning a 3-3 game into a 13-3 lead.
Yeah, Notre Dame got the ball all right. For all of 15 seconds.
Jayden Harrison returned the opening kickoff of the second half 98 yards for a touchdown. It was the Marshall transfer’s first return TD in 14 games with the Irish after having 3 in as many seasons with the Thundering Herd, including 2 last year alone when he earned All-America honors as a special teamer.
He picked the perfect time for his fourth kickoff return score of his career. He didn’t transfer to Notre Dame to return kickoffs for touchdowns against Purdue in September. He transferred to Notre Dame to return kickoffs for touchdowns against Georgia in December.
“It’s a blessing to be here,” Harrison said. “The whole journey has been a blessing.”
Harrison was not alone in feeling that way after Notre Dame’s win.
The Irish took in eight scholarship transfers last season in an era when most premier programs acquire at least a dozen, sometimes two, and seven of the eight made at least one significant play in Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff semifinal-clinching victory. Wide receiver Kris Mitchell was the only one who didn’t.
Harrison? Kick return TD. Former Arizona State nickel corner Jordan Clark? Third-down pass breakup. Former Northwestern defensive back Rod Heard II? Tight coverage in the end zone on a fourth-down incomplete pass and subsequent turnover on downs for Georgia.
Even former Duke defensive end RJ Oben, who hadn’t laid his hands on an opposing quarterback all season, had a strip sack deep in Georgia territory that gave Notre Dame the ball in the red zone.
Like Harrison, he didn’t choose Notre Dame for what he could — and ultimately did not — accomplish against inferior foes early in the season. He made his mark when it mattered most.
“I came here for an opportunity and to play on big stages like this,” Oben said. “I’m happy that I was able to capitalize on my opportunities and I thank God for being here and being here with this team.”
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Clemson transfer Beaux Collins scored on a 13-yard touchdown catch the play after Oben created a turnover.
“It’s why we came here, to play in games like these,” Collins said. “It’s amazing to see guys step up and make plays. That’s why we came here, man.”
That leaves former South Carolina kicker Mitch Jeter and two-year Duke starting quarterback Riley Leonard. The former made all three of his field goal attempts, and all three ranged from 44 to 48 yards. Half of Leonard’s 14 registered rushing attempts went for first downs, including two critical conversions in the fourth quarter.
Jeter faced Georgia every season in his five-year career. This was the first time he beat the Bulldogs. He played an integral role in keeping the Irish ahead of the Dawgs, as did Leonard.
“Obviously, momentum shifts through the game,” Jeter said. “Being able to finish the first half strong and starting the second half really strong, I take pride in every time we go out there wanting to get points.”
“That’s my mindset going into every game — everybody else can put their butt on the line, I’m going to do it right there with them,” Leonard said.
