Notre Dame heads to halftime down 10-3 against Penn State and perhaps without its starting quarterback for the second half

Friday’s Cotton Bowl between the Texas Longhorns and Ohio State Buckeyes will determine Notre Dame’s opponent. The two winning teams will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, where they’ll meet at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the National Championship game at 8:00 p.m. ET on Monday. Jan. 20, 2025.

It's time for College Football Playoff Orange Bowl semifinal. Follow along for live score and game updates between Notre Dame vs Penn State:

MIAMI GARDENS | Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter made a 41-yard field goal with 7 seconds remaining, lifting the Fighting Irish over Penn State 27-24 in an epic Orange Bowl on Thursday. Notre Dame advanced to its first College Football Playoff national championship game, and Penn State ended the most prolific season in school history at 13-3.

Win and you’re in. No. 6 Penn State and No. 7 Notre Dame battle it out in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium for a spot in the National Championship Game. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 9 on ESPN.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard was ushered off the field by officials after a possible concussion in the Orange Bowl against Penn State, but returned.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard left the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl late in the first half and was being evaluated by the Fighting Irish’s medical staff

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard returned in the second half after leaving the game due to an injury before halftime in the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal on Thursday night and led the Fighting Irish to a 27-24 victory.

Graduate senior Tosh Baker, who started in the Sun Bowl to end the 2023 season, replaced Knapp in the Notre Dame football lineup.

Notre Dame is going to the first College Football Playoff National Championship after defeating Penn State 27-24 in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night.