Riley Leonard returns from injury to lead Notre Dame in the national championship game in a CFP victory against Penn State
Notre Dame is headed to the first college football national playoff game in the expansion era after a 27-24 comeback win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Thursday.
Fighting Irish kicker Mitch Jeter kicked the game-winning 41-yard field goal to end the head-to-head battle between the two storied programs.
Notre Dame’s comeback win might never have happened if quarterback Riley Leonard hadn’t mustered up the courage to get back into the game after an injury.
“He’s a competitor, and competitors find a way to win,” Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman said in a postgame interview with ESPN immediately following the game. “It’s an honor to be a part of this with him.”
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The Penn State Nittany Lions face off at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff Semifinal in the Capital One Orange Bowl on January 9, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Leonard had to leave the game in the second quarter, forcing backup Steve Angeli. At that point, Notre Dame was already behind 10-0. But Angeli helped the Irish get back into it with a field goal drive to give Notre Dame its first points as the Irish went into halftime down 10-3.
But Leonard came back into the game in the second half and drove a touchdown to tie the game. The two teams then traded score for score in a competitive second half.
Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter (11) celebrates a tackle on Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Riley Leonard (13) in the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
Leonard had a chance to take the lead with two minutes left, but Penn State’s defense came up with a big third down to force a Notre Dame punt.
Then Allar, with a chance to lead a game-winning drive with less and possibly enter the conversation for the best running back taken in the NFL draft, returned to the field for the biggest moment of his career. And at that moment he threw a cross to return the ball right to Leonard and the Irish.
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Notre Dame Fighting Irish guard Riley Leonard (13) celebrates a goal with teammates in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
Leonard then returned to the field to lead the final drive that put Jeter in position to seal the deal.
“I just trusted Jesus,” Leonard said in an interview with ESPN after the game.
Notre Dame’s story continues after coming off a historic win against Georgia in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans just one day after a deadly terrorist attack that killed 14 innocent people.
The Irish will meet the winner of the tournament Cotton bowl on Friday between Ohio State and Texas.
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