Notre Dame clinched its spot in the College Football Playoff final Thursday, defeating Penn State in an all-time classic.
Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter drilled a 41-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining to send them to the championship game. The Fighting Irish were set up in prime position after Christian Gray picked off Penn State quarterback Drew Allar.
Despite all the drama that this semifinal game experienced, the Orange Bowl started very slow. Both teams were held scoreless after the first quarter and scored only 13 total points in the first half before combining for 31 in the fourth quarter alone.
After three consecutive punts to start the game, Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley intercepted Irish quarterback Riley Leonard to set up a Ryan Baker field goal.
After another punt from the Fighting Irish, the Nittany Lions put together a 15-play, 90-yard drive that ended with running back Nicholas Singleton running it in from five yards out, making it a 10-0 ball game. Notre Dame would answer the Penn State touchdown with a field goal and would go into the half trailing the Nittany Lions 10-3.
The Fighting Irish came out in the second half firing on all cylinders, as Riley Leonard led an 8-play, 75-yard drive that ended with him running it in for a short score.
After a couple of punts by both sides, the Fighting Irish drove 71 yards down the field and punched it into the end zone with Jeremiyah Love, giving Notre Dame its first lead of the contest. Penn State answered right back, putting together a 75-yard drive of their own that ultimately ended in another Nicholas Singleton score. Soon after, the Nittany Lions intercepted Leonard for the second time and scored once more to take a 24-17 lead.
But Notre Dame was able to strike back, tying the game about four minutes later courtesy of a 54-yard touchdown catch from Jaden Greathouse.
After both teams exchanged punts, Penn State had possession of the ball in Notre Dame territory with 47 seconds left, looking to mount a game-winning drive. But Allar was intercepted on the second play of the possession that led to Jeter’s 41-yard game-winning field goal.
Notre Dame will look to solidify their storybook run, as they will go on to play the Ohio State Buckeyes in the CFP National Championship.
