Notre Dame Advances to CFP Final with Thrilling Win Over Penn State

Notre Dame clinched its spot in the College Football Playoff final Thursday, beating Penn State 27-24 in a down-to-the-wire thriller at the Orange Bowl in Miami Gardens, Florida. Fighting Irish kicker Mitch Jeter hit a 41-yard field goal with eight seconds left for the winning score, set up by an interception of Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar on the previous possession.

The game started slowly, with both teams scoreless after the first quarter and combining for only 13 points in the first half. However, the fourth quarter saw a flurry of action, with 31 points scored. Penn State took an early lead with a 10-0 advantage in the second quarter, but Notre Dame fought back, tying the game at 10-10 in the third quarter.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, who returned after being evaluated for a possible concussion, led the Fighting Irish to a 17-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. Penn State responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive to tie the game, followed by an interception that led to another touchdown, giving the Nittany Lions a 24-17 lead. Notre Dame quickly answered with a 54-yard touchdown pass to Jaden Greathouse, tying the game at 24-24.

With 47 seconds left, Penn State had a chance to win, but Allar’s interception gave Notre Dame the ball in Nittany Lions territory. Jeter’s 41-yard field goal sealed the victory, sending Notre Dame to the national championship game against the winner of Ohio State and Texas.

Notre Dame’s defense, ranked second nationally, forced key turnovers, while Penn State’s offense struggled to maintain momentum late in the game. The Fighting Irish now await their next challenge in the College Football Playoff final on January 20.