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| Defenders attempt to tackle the ball carrier during the College Football Playoff semifinal game between Penn State and Notre Dame at the Orange Bowl on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2024 in Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Fla. The Fighting Irish beat the Nittany Lions 27-24 to advance to the national championship. Kate Hildebrand |
Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are officially heading to the College Football Playoff National Championship after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions 27-24 in the Capital One Orange Bowl.
Notre Dame fans may be thanking Penn State quarterback Drew Allar for the win after throwing an interception in the Lions' own territory with 38 seconds left in the game. After a few plays by the Irish to improve their field position, kicker Mitch Jeter hit a 41-yard field goal to take the lead with just seven seconds remaining.
After struggling in the first half, Irish quarterback Riley Leonard picked it up in the final two quarters, which came after he was evaluated for a concussion just before halftime. The senior finished the game completing 14-of-22 passes for 223 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also added 35 yards and another score on the ground.
Leonard earned Orange Bowl Offensive MVP honors for his performance.
NOTRE DAME SURVIVES PENN STATE IN THE ORANGE BOWL
IRISH ARE HEADING TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1988 pic.twitter.com/uUy5lYe1SV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 10, 2025
Following the close battle, many college football fans were left entertained with the Orange Bowl, leaving their thoughts on social media.
"What a football game! Two great teams and great coaches! That was a classic! Notre Dame is so fun to watch. Marcus Freeman is a superstar coach," one fan said.
"Happy we finally got a great playoff game that came down to the wire, but OSU gonna win the natty if the ND defense keeps tackling the way they did the last two playoff games," added another.
"CFP gives us a whole bunch of stinkers then the best game of the college football season," wrote a third.
"This game was insane. One of the best CFP Semi Finals ever," commented a fourth.
"Tonight's CFP Semifinal has been the best game of the entire playoffs," chimed in a fifth.
"Outstanding CFP game tonight. For all of the duds this season, we his is one of the best. I love the fight and refuse to go down by both teams," posted a sixth.
Notre Dame cornerback Christian Gray secured the Defensive MVP award after setting up his team's game-winning field goal with the late interception of Allar.
The Fighting Irish will wait until Friday night to find out their opponent for the national championship game. They will face the winner of the Cotton Bowl between the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Related: Notre Dame Fans Threw Items on the Field During Penn State Game
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