REPORT: Pat McAfee’s eye-opening claim about Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard goes viral
During Notre Dame’s record-setting 23-10 victory over Georgia in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, quarterback Riley Leonard received high praise from Pat McAfee, who took to X with an enthusiastic endorsement.
“Man… I very much underestimated how much of a DAWWWGGG Riley Leonard is,” McAfee posted, reaching nearly 500,000 users within three hours.
As a prominent figure in college football, McAfee’s statements tend to generate buzz on social media, whether he’s making picks on ESPN’s College GameDay or reacting to standout performances. Following Notre Dame’s second consecutive College Football Playoff win, McAfee was clearly impressed by Leonard’s toughness and resilience.
The timing and wording of McAfee’s post added to the excitement online. Referring to Leonard as a “dawg” while defeating the Georgia Bulldogs—commonly nicknamed the Dawgs—sparked debate over whether the phrasing was intentional. Some believed it was a clever nod to the matchup, while others saw it as McAfee’s typical passionate style, given he often calls standout players “dawgs.”
Intentional or not, McAfee’s endorsement of Leonard as a “dawg” set social media abuzz, further elevating the Notre Dame quarterback’s rising profile.
Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard gets Pat McAfee going during Sugar Bowl vs. Georgia
On a pivotal third-and-7 late in the Allstate Sugar Bowl, Riley Leonard solidified his reputation with a play that earned Pat McAfee’s emphatic endorsement.
With Notre Dame leading 23-10 and about six minutes remaining, Leonard showcased his determination, breaking a tackle and hurdling a defender to secure a first down. The play epitomized Leonard’s willingness to go all out for the win, which the Fighting Irish ultimately achieved.
After the game, Leonard addressed the daring hurdle with a straightforward response.
“We’re in the playoffs,” he told reporters. “Everybody else can put their body on the line; I’m going to do it right there with them.”
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Leonard’s performance against Georgia underscored his grit and leadership. He completed 15 of 24 passes for 90 yards, including a touchdown, and led Notre Dame’s rushing attack with 80 yards, highlighted by his game-changing third-down scramble.
With McAfee’s glowing endorsement and Leonard’s standout play, the Fighting Irish punched their ticket to the Orange Bowl, where they will face Penn State.