Notre Dame vs Georgia starting QB today: Sugar Bowl game QB Depth Chart

The final CFB Semifinalist will come from the Sugar Bowl matchup between Notre Dame and Georgia. The game will close out the New Year’s Day Bowl schedule as and will begin at 8:45 pm ET in New Orleans.

The Georgia Bulldogs (11-2) arrive at the Sugar Bowl ranked No. 2 in the nation, but do so without starting quarterback Carson Beck. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish (12-1) defeated the Indiana Hoosiers to grab their 11th straight win.

Quarterbacks in this game come with varying levels of experience: Riley Leonard is a senior with vast playing experience, while Gunner Stockton has thrown 51 passes in two seasons with the Bulldogs.

Who is Riley Leonard starting QB for Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl game?

Senior Riley Leonard will start at quarterback for Notre Dame. Leonard is in his first season in South Bend after spending three years at Duke. While the Irish have a run-first offense, the Fairhope, Alabama native has passed for 2,293 yards, 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions.

Leonard is equally dangerous on the ground. He ran for 751 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. At 6' 4", 216 pounds, he is a tough guy to bring down. While his stats don’t pop off the page, Leonard doesn’t make many mistakes and is a tough matchup for any defense.

Who is Gunner Stockton starting QB for Georgia in the Sugar Bowl game?

Gunner Stockton led Georgia to a victory in the SEC Championship Game - Source: Imagn

Georgia was counting on senior Carson Beck to lead the team this season, but an injury in the SEC Championship Game opened the door for Gunner Stockton. The sophomore answered the call versus Texas, going 12-for-16 for 71 yards and an interception.

While his numbers weren’t spectacular, he made the plays the Bulldogs needed to win the game in overtime. Stockton was a 4-star prospect out of Rabun County High School in Tiger, Georgia. He is a little more mobile than Beck. Facing the Notre Dame defense will be a tough test for the Bulldogs’ signal caller.

Notre Dame vs Georgia: Head-to-Head History

Despite both programs' long history, the Sugar Bowl will be only the fourth meeting between Notre Dame and Georgia. The Bulldogs hold a 3-0 advantage in the series history, including one-score victories at South Bend in 2017 and at home in 2019. Those are also the most recent matchups between both programs.

Both teams did meet in the Sugar Bowl in 1980. Powered by Herschel Walker’s running, the Bulldogs won 17-10 and claimed their first National Championship.