Depleted Notre Dame defense hopes to make an impact against Georgia in CFP quarterfinals

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Notre Dame’s defense set a dominating tone early in its College Football Playoff opener against Indiana. The Fighting Irish stuffed the highest-scoring team in the CFP field for a 14-3 halftime lead, but then Notre Dame suffered a gut punch.

Defensive lineman Rylie Mills sacked Indiana quarterback Kurtis Rourke on the first play of the second half, and had to be helped off the field with a knee injury.

Heading into its CFP quarterfinal game against second-seeded Georgia...