NEW ORLEANS – Marcus Freeman took a moment to enjoy the victory.

Confetti doesn’t rain down during routine season wins, and it had been a long time since Notre Dame celebrated a postseason win of this significance.

So yes, let the confetti fall, and let it be in Notre Dame navy, not Georgia red.

“Let’s cherish this moment,” Freeman stated after Notre Dame defeated Georgia, 23-10, in the Sugar Bowl.

However, he knows he shouldn’t dwell on this triumph for too long; a tougher opponent is on the way.

Penn State waits in the Orange Bowl, and despite Georgia’s achievements over the last few seasons, the Nittany Lions played better overall this year, asserting that the Big Ten is the dominant conference over the SEC.

Notre Dame dominates Georgia in a Sugar Bowl ‘heavyweight clash’

What could top Notre Dame’s most significant postseason victory in over three decades? By defeating a superior team on an even larger stage just a week later.

Not too long ago, it would have been reasonable to doubt that Notre Dame, often unlucky in the postseason, could win a playoff game against a team like Penn State. However, against Georgia, the Irish proved they are no longer burdened by past failures.

“This program is on the rise,” linebacker Jack Kiser commented. “It’s growing.”

Notre Dame didn’t just defeat Georgia; they outmatched the Bulldogs, indicating that Kirby Smart’s era of excellence is in the past.

“Georgia is known for being very tough,” said Notre Dame safety Adon Shuler. “So we had to rise to that challenge.”

Rise? The Irish went above and beyond Georgia’s toughness.

“A heavyweight clash,” was how Freeman described it.

Perhaps, but the Irish delivered a knockout blow right at the start of the second half. When Jayden Harrison returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, it marked Notre Dame’s third score in under a minute of game time.

The Bulldogs showed strength for a quarter and a half. However, the Irish kept the pressure on throughout all four quarters against a team that appeared weak, disorganized, inconsistent, and filled with mistakes that used to be regarded as formidable.

Defeating Penn State will be a greater challenge.

Marcus Freeman on a winning streak, but Penn State remains a threat

Notre Dame is making strides under Freeman. He boasts a 4-0 record in his last four postseason games, although the first three victories were against weaker opponents.

Given the previous postseason disappointments prior to Freeman’s tenure, Notre Dame couldn’t overlook his initial three playoff wins. However, coaches aren’t memorialized for victories over teams like South Carolina, Oregon State, or Indiana.

This win against Georgia, though, propels Notre Dame into a new tier.

Regardless of the fact that Georgia often underperformed this season compared to its past dominance,.

The ‘G’ on the helmet, the SEC emblem on the uniform, and the College Football Playoff symbols in the end zones signify that this is a landmark victory for a program that hasn’t celebrated a “Big Six” bowl win since Lou Holtz led them to victory in the 1994 Cotton Bowl.

Notre Dame achieved its first victory over Georgia, and in a display of his youth, Freeman didn’t even recall when these two teams last met in the Sugar Bowl, back on New Year’s Day in 1981.

In that game, which had former President Jimmy Carter in attendance, Herschel Walker rushed over the Irish, securing the national championship for Georgia.

Longtime Notre Dame supporters will remember that match, and they will hold this latest victory dear.

As for the upcoming challenge? It will be tougher.

Facing Penn State will be akin to facing a reflection. The Nittany Lions boast a staunch defense, focus on the running game, and typically minimize turnovers.

Sounds familiar? That resembles Notre Dame.

Yet, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar provides the Nittany Lions with a passing attack that isn’t mirrored by the Irish. While Riley Leonard’s speed on quarterback runs adds some flair to Notre Dame’s offense, Allar’s aerial assault poses a unique threat that Notre Dame doesn’t commonly present.

Against Georgia, Notre Dame finished with only 90 passing yards.

How did they succeed?

“They were very effective at the line of scrimmage,” Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith noted, “stopping the run and ensuring they disrupted our quarterback.”

The Irish finished the game with a plus-two advantage in turnovers. At the line of scrimmage, they physically dominated the pride of the SEC and made Georgia look flabby.

“They simply outmuscled us,” stated Georgia defensive back Dan Jackson. “The key was their ability to force turnovers on defense (twice), while we failed to do the same.”

Notre Dame did not commit a single turnover.

The Irish players attribute their bounce-back from the Week 2 defeat against Northern Illinois to strong leadership and trust within the team. While this is undoubtedly true, they also began to prioritize ball protection more seriously.

Throughout September, the Irish had a total of six turnovers. In contrast, they have only had seven since then, leaving them with an impressive plus-18 turnover margin for the entire season.

And what about Penn State? They’ve got a plus-five turnover margin just in the playoffs.

“I caught a glimpse of the Penn State game,” Freeman remarked about an opponent that subdued Boise State with a 31-14 score in their quarterfinal match. “It’s going to be a significant challenge for us, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Imagine winning against Penn State and securing a spot in the national championship? That would certainly call for an extra celebration with confetti.