FAIRHOPE — Fairhope residents once again gathered at Fairhope Brewing Company to watch native Riley Leonard and Notre Dame take down Georgia in an emotional installment of the Sugar Bowl on Jan 2.

Leonard, a product of Fairhope High School, had a lot of supporters show up to Fairhope Brewing, both local fans of Leonard and fans of Notre Dame, to watch the game as the Fighting Irish prevailed over the Bulldogs 23-10 to advance to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff.

In the Sugar Bowl against Georgia, Riley Leonard completed 15-of-24 passes while throwing for 90 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 80 yards on 14 carries.

Unlike the Fighting Irish's game against Indiana in the first round of the College Football Playoff, it was all defense this time. Notre Dame's defense came up big against Georgia, holding the Bulldogs' offense to 2-for-12 on third down while also forcing two turnovers in the victory in New Orleans.

The game was originally scheduled to be held on the evening of Jan. 1 but was delayed to the next day due to a terror attack on Bourbon Street in the early morning hours of New Year's Day that killed 14 people and injured at least 35 others. A moment of silence was held for the victims prior to kickoff.

"Obviously, we are greatly saddened by the attack in New Orleans," said Brian Kane, who is part of the ownership group of Fairhope Brewing Company. "Just a heartbreaking situation and something we pray does not happen again. Rallying around community is something we thrive on at Fairhope Brewing. Riley is a great person who has earned his place on this stage. We'll support our local star through these playoffs and beyond."

"It's been a very hard week. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all the families affected a couple days ago," Leonard said in his on-field interview immediately following the game. "We're praying for them. But for all these Notre Dame fans to show up anyway, it means the world to us. We felt them all game, I promise you."

Up next for Leonard and the Irish, they head to Miami to play Penn State at the Orange Bowl on Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m. The winner of that game heads to the National Championship game.