MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — In a dramatic finish under the lights of the Orange Bowl, Notre Dame secured a spot in the College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship with a nail-biting 27-24 win over Penn State on Thursday night. The game, which featured multiple lead changes and a heart-stopping final sequence, was sealed by a crucial interception and a clutch field goal.
Key Moment: Gray’s Interception and the Game-Winning Drive
With 33 seconds left on the clock and the score tied at 24, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar made a crucial mistake. Under pressure, he attempted to throw the ball into the dirt, but his errant pass was intercepted by Notre Dame defensive back Christian Gray at the Nittany Lions’ 42-yard line.
Gray, who had one thing on his mind — “Just catch the ball” — was in the right place at the right time, and his pick set up a quick 19-yard drive, culminating in a 41-yard field goal by Mitch Jeter as time expired.
Riley Leonard Shines After Injury Scare
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard was forced out of the game late in the second quarter after taking a hard hit that sent him to the medical tent for a concussion check. However, Leonard returned to the field in the second half and delivered a stellar performance, leading the Irish on four scoring drives, including the final game-winning march.
Leonard finished with 223 yards passing, including a critical 54-yard touchdown pass to Jaden Greathouse that tied the game at 24. Leonard also ran for a touchdown and contributed 35 yards rushing, proving his resilience after the injury.
Penn State’s Missed Opportunities
Despite a strong performance from running back Nick Singleton, who rushed for 84 yards and all three Penn State touchdowns, the Nittany Lions’ offense struggled in key moments. Allar, considered a potential first-round pick for the NFL, finished the game with 135 yards on 12-of-23 passing and an interception.
Allar’s last-ditch throw across his body, under heavy pressure, turned the game in Notre Dame’s favor. Penn State head coach James Franklin acknowledged that there were several plays throughout the game that could have swung the outcome, but none more critical than the final interception.
The Road to the National Championship
Notre Dame (14-1) advances to the CFP National Championship on January 20 in Atlanta, where they will face the winner of the Cotton Bowl semifinal between Texas and Ohio State. This marks Notre Dame’s first appearance in the national title game since 1988, and their 12th overall.
Head coach Marcus Freeman, who is aiming to become the first Black coach to win a college football national title, praised his team’s resilience. “Great teams find a way to make a play when it matters the most,” Freeman said. “That’s what this team does.”
Chilly Conditions at the Orange Bowl
The Orange Bowl’s unseasonably cool temperature of 56°F made for a chilly contest, the second-coldest in the event’s history. Despite the cold, the intensity of the game was red-hot, with a thrilling second half full of explosive plays and emotional highs and lows.
What’s Next?
As for Penn State, the loss stings, but coach Franklin and his players will now turn their attention to the offseason. For Allar, it will be a time to reflect on the crucial mistakes, including the final throw, and work to improve for next season. Penn State will open their 2025 season at home against Nevada on August 30.
For Notre Dame, the dream of a national title is alive, with a championship showdown in two weeks.
