Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard gave all glory to God following his team’s impressive 23-10 win over Georgia in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals at the Sugar Bowl. The fifth-seeded Fighting Irish stunned the second-seeded Bulldogs, advancing to the semifinal round, with Leonard leading the charge both on and off the field.

Leonard, who completed 15 of 24 passes for 90 yards and a touchdown while rushing for an additional 80 yards, was named the offensive player of the game. However, he made it clear during his postgame interview on ESPN that his performance was about more than just football.

“First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Leonard said. “Without Him, I wouldn’t be here, and we wouldn’t be here as a whole group.”

This is great.

Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard gives thanks to Jesus on ESPN postgame after the Irish advance past Georgia.

“Without Him, I wouldn’t be here.” pic.twitter.com/D2g09mwnA5

— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) January 3, 2025

Leonard’s humility and faith have been central to his journey as a student-athlete. Despite being a quarterback—a position known for its passing game—he led his team in rushing during the game, showcasing his determination and selflessness.

“When you’re struggling in the passing game, you’ve got to put your body on the line and do whatever it takes to win,” Leonard explained. “I try to lead by example. Hopefully, it shows these guys how much I care about them, how much I care about this university.”

Leonard also praised his team’s defense for their critical role in defeating the Bulldogs and thanked the Notre Dame fans who traveled to New Orleans to cheer on the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame’s road to the College Football Playoff semifinals has been anything but smooth. In September, the team suffered a shocking upset loss to Northern Illinois, casting serious doubts about its playoff hopes. But Leonard attributes its turnaround to hard work and unwavering faith.

“When you trust in the Lord, anything can happen,” Leonard said. “This team fought every single week. I mean, that [loss] was the lowest of the low. Hard work does pay off.”

Now with a 13-1 record, the Irish are preparing for a semifinal showdown against Penn State on January 9. Leonard and his teammates are keeping their eyes on the prize, bolstered by the lessons learned through their setbacks and triumphs.

Leonard’s faith isn’t just something he shares on the big stage—it’s a constant in his everyday life. His Instagram bio proclaims, “No God – No Peace. Know God – Know Peace.” The quarterback also wears a wristband inscribed with a Bible verse, Matthew 23:12: “Those who exalt themselves will be humbled. Those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

During a previous interview with the Irish Tribune, Leonard revealed that his faith shapes his perspective on life and football.

“Every single person in [Fairhope, Alabama, my hometown] that I came into contact with helped me with my faith. I’m able to bring that here,” he said. “When I go to bed at night, I’m not thinking, ‘How many touchdown passes did I throw?’ or ‘Did we win or lose?’ I’m thinking, ‘Did I better my relationship with Jesus Christ? Did I treat my girlfriend with respect? Did I call my parents?'”

As Riley Leonard prepares to lead Notre Dame into the next round of the College Football Playoff, his focus remains clear: glorifying God and inspiring others through his faith. His testimony of perseverance, humility, and trust in Christ is a shining example for fans and athletes alike.

“Without Him, I wouldn’t be here,” Leonard emphasized. For Riley Leonard, football is more than a game—it’s a platform to share the love and grace of Jesus Christ.