Jayden Harrison Goes 98 Through the Heart of the South in Sugar Bowl Win
Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott went 85 yards through the heart of the South in the 2015 Sugar Bowl to put the Buckeyes in the national championship.
10 years later, Notre Dame receiver Jayden Harrison went 98 yards through the heart of the South as the Marshall transfer returned a kickoff to open the second half and gave Notre Dame a commanding 20-3 lead over Georgia.
The Fighting Irish finished the job on Thursday as the took down Georgia 23-10 and Harrison’s return might have been the backbreaker.
“I saw a white jersey in between red the whole time,” Harrison recalled. “The other 10 guys on that kickoff team were great. They’ve blocked for me all season and kept believing in the kickoff return, the team and the coach. They’ve kept me ready. It’s a blessing.”
Harrison was an All-American kick returner in 2023 for the Thundering Herd as he tallied 705 return yards and two touchdowns. But at Notre Dame, the Tennessee native couldn’t quite get enough returns to break something as he had just 10 returns entering the Sugar Bowl.
The 5-foot-10, 198-pounder didn’t get frustrated with the lack of opportunities. Harrison stayed ready for a moment like Thursday and as one would expect, he felt all the emotions when he crossed the goal line.
“I almost cried,” stated Harrison. “I was just so blessed. It was overwhelming.”
The return featured a cut inside, a few broken tackles and a cut outside to the sideline to get free. It took 15 seconds and Harrison knew once he got the sideline, it was on him to finish.
“Just keep your feet moving,” Harrison smiled. “It wasn’t a surprise because the kickoff return team was doing their job all week. They’ve been locked into the different looks Coach throws at them. I love the kickoff return team.”
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman admitted he didn’t expect a kickoff return for a touchdown, but it was a cap to an impressive finish to the first half that saw Notre Dame score 10 points in a matter of seconds.
“I didn't know we were going to come out of the locker room and score a kickoff return touchdown, but that helped,” said Freeman. “That middle eight is something we often talk about. The ability to close the half in that way and to start the second half with a kickoff return touchdown was huge for the outcome of the game.”
Harrison could have transferred to other places or even tested the NFL waters last winter, but he chose to come to Notre Dame for this reason. And it’s not been perfect as every player wants to play more and get the ball, but Harrison has completely embraced his role within the Irish program.
“It’s been a blessing,” stated Harrison. “It’s a blessing to be here. The whole journey has been a blessing. It’s a great opportunity. Everything happens for a reason.”
Notre Dame and Harrison will have another guaranteed opportunity to make a statement as the Irish will take on Penn State in next week’s Orange Bowl.
And if the opportunity arises, Harrison will be ready.
“I know anytime I get a chance, it’s a possibility to go to the house because my guys block so well,” said Harrison. “Coach Biagi has it dialed up with the kick return scheme.
“I feel a sense of pride when anybody makes a play. We’re all in this together. It’s a team effort. You always need everybody to get the dub. Georgia was a great team. My guys executed play after play after play. I was just happy the whole game.”
Want the latest scoop on the Fighting Irish? Sign up for our newsletter and become an ISD Premium Subscriber: Sign Up for ISD
