Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard: 'That was a special moment'
Riley Leonard has played in big games, but following the biggest game of his career, the senior quarterback was all smiles.
In fact, Leonard was in a joking mood following the 27-17 College Football Playoff win over Indiana as he made sure to throw a few jabs at Jordan Faison, who was also in the room, for not scoring on their 44-yard connection.
“It would have been up there if he could have got in, but he didn't,” Leonard laughed when asked if that was one of his best throws of the year.
The throw was one of the best throws of the year as Leonard showed patience throughout the night to wait for the moment.
“Our QB GA was like, ‘Boy, you need to step up in the pocket next time, you get these high-edge rushers.’ I did it and this guy got open for me. I was itching for it to come open because we called that play earlier, and they spun to two, but that time, it was quarters, so I got to take advantage of it.”
Friday night’s playoff game was what Notre Dame fans have come to expect from Leonard.
Efficient quarterback play.
The Alabama native finished 23-of-32 for 201 yards, one touchdown, one interception and 30 rushing yards and another score.
Leonard’s rushing touchdown put the Irish up 27-3 with 4:50 remaining in the game and it allowed Notre Dame Stadium to start celebrating - despite an interesting ending.
“That's special,” said. “It's kind of hard for me sometimes. My head is always spinning all week. It's hard for me to take a second and take it all in, but that was kind of the first time where I was able to look out into the crowd and really embrace this moment because it really is special. My mind is just always spinning; I'm always so stressed out all the time. It was very important for me to take it all in. That was a special moment.”
The win was also a full circle moment for Leonard, who will be the first to tell you the job isn’t done. Yet, Friday night was why Leonard transferred to Notre Dame as he wanted to compete on this stage.
“I think this is special for us,” explained Leonard. “Me being a guy who -- my freshman year I went 3-9 and was just begging to make a bowl game. To be playing in a Sugar Bowl right now, it’s really cool.
“But at the same time, it's another football game and we're just staying alive. We're just trying to play as many games as we can because we love the game, we love preparing for it and we love representing this university.”
Leonard’s lone black mark was the interception on Notre Dame’s first drive as Indiana tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage and fell into the hands of D’Angelo Ponds.
Some quarterbacks could have lost confidence, but not Leonard.
“I think this was one of my better weeks passing in practice,” stated Leonard. “Then you get out there and the first throw was a pick. I was like, ‘Bro, are you serious?’ Like Coach always says, practice like you play, and then this happens. But I had to bounce back kind of like I've been doing all year and kind of like we've been doing all year.
“My confidence is just continuing to grow. The better these guys play around me, the more confidence I have in getting them the ball. They're showing out every week, and we're continuing to develop in the passing game.”
Notre Dame’s future isn’t all on Leonard, which is a comforting feeling for a quarterback. Leonard entered his postgame presser with a Jeremiyah Love t-shirt on and might be the leader of Love’s fan club.
“I got the best view in the house,” Leonard smiled. “Every time I hand him the ball, I'm just watching, like what's he going to do now? He just continues to impress me. It's like the little things. It's that second or 3rd down where he's stiff-arming guys and getting 1st downs for us. It's these little plays that might be five-yard gains, but for anybody else, it might be a five-yard loss. He's just a freak athlete.
“Like I say, if we didn't have a rushing quarterback, how many more touchdowns would this guy have, and he'd be in conversations nationwide. I think people are starting to see how special he is.”
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