MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) – In an exhilarating Orange Bowl semifinal, Notre Dame claimed a thrilling 27-24 victory over Penn State, thus securing its berth in the college football playoffs for a shot at the program’s 12th national title. The game concluded dramatically, set up by a critical diving interception from Irish defensive back Christian Gray, who picked off Drew Allar’s pass at the Nittany Lions' 42-yard line with just 33 seconds remaining.
The Irish capitalized quickly, advancing 19 yards to position Mitch Jeter for a decisive 41-yard field goal, which was successfully converted with only 7 seconds left on the clock. This sensational finish capped off a game that featured three ties, three lead changes, and a striking 31 points scored during the fourth quarter alone.
Finishing the season at 14-1, Notre Dame entered the playoffs as the seventh seed in this inaugural 12-team college football playoff format. The Irish now look ahead to face the winner of the Cotton Bowl’s Texas-Ohio State semifinal in the national championship game on January 20 in Atlanta. A significant milestone awaits Notre Dame's head coach Marcus Freeman, who has the opportunity to become the first Black coach to clinch a national title at college football’s premier level.
Freeman expressed pride in his team's performance, acknowledging their resilience. "We’ve been right here in this position before, and they believed and got the job done, and I’m proud of them,” Freeman commented after the game.
Penn State, seeded sixth and finishing the season at 13-3, was in control for much of the game, taking an early 10-0 lead that they maintained for 28 minutes. Despite their efforts, head coach James Franklin faced disappointment, as his record against AP Top 10 teams now stands at 4-20.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, who faced a late-second-quarter injury but returned to the game, showcased his competitive spirit, leading the Irish to four scoring drives in the second half, including the pivotal final drive. Leonard completed 223 yards passing, connecting on crucial plays, including a ten-yard pass to Jaden Greathouse that converted a third-and-3, as well as a vital 54-yard touchdown pass to Greathouse that tied the game at 24.
The game began slowly; however, Leonard's injury invigorated the contest. He orchestrated touchdown drives of 75 and 72 yards in the third quarter, giving Notre Dame a 17-10 advantage. With 4:38 remaining in the game, the crucial play occurred; Allar's attempt to pass under pressure resulted in a costly interception by Gray.
Allar, who struggled throughout the game, finished with 12 completions on 23 attempts for 135 yards and the game-deciding interception. He remembered feeling the pressure and acknowledged his mistake, stating, "Honestly, I was trying to throw it at his feet. I should’ve thrown it away when I saw the first two progressions were not open. I didn’t execute." Despite the loss, Penn State's running back Nick Singleton shone brightly, scoring all three touch downs for his team.
The Orange Bowl also recorded an unseasonably chilly kickoff temperature of 56 degrees, making it one of the coldest in history, second only to the Georgia Tech-Iowa game in 2010.
Fans voiced their displeasure during the pre-game introductions of former USC quarterback Matt Leinart and Urban Meyer, who were inducted into the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame. In stark contrast, former Miami lineman Vince Wilfork was welcomed with warm applause from fans.
Looking ahead, Notre Dame prepares for its national championship game against either Ohio State or Texas on January 20, while Penn State anticipates the start of its 2025 season at home against Nevada on August 30.
