MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — In a dramatic finish to the 2025 Orange Bowl, Notre Dame capitalized on a crucial turnover by Penn State to pull off a thrilling 27-24 victory, clinching a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship game. The victory came down to a game-winning 41-yard field goal by Mitch Jeter with just seven seconds remaining, following a critical interception by Penn State quarterback Drew Allar.

The game, which had plenty of twists and turns, saw Penn State jump out to a 10-0 lead in the second quarter. However, Notre Dame stormed back to tie the game and then claim the lead. Despite a late surge by Penn State, the Fighting Irish stood resilient, securing their place in the championship game where they will face the winner of the Cotton Bowl, between Texas and Ohio State, on Monday, Jan. 20, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Early Struggles and Notre Dame’s Resilience

The first half was defined by missed opportunities and strong defensive play. After a scoreless first quarter — the first such quarter in the Orange Bowl since 2007 — Penn State managed to open the scoring with a short field goal early in the second quarter. The Nittany Lions followed up with a 90-yard, 15-play drive, eating up over seven minutes of clock, capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by Nick Singleton, putting them up 10-0 with just over two minutes remaining before halftime.

Notre Dame’s offense, which had struggled to get in rhythm, finally responded late in the half. Quarterback Riley Leonard, who had been limited by a knee injury, briefly left the field after a rough hit. Backup Steve Angeli took over and was able to drive the Irish into field-goal range. Mitch Jeter kicked a 41-yard field goal as time expired, making it a 10-3 deficit at the break.

A Strong Start to the Second Half

With Leonard back under center to start the second half, Notre Dame quickly found its offensive spark. The Irish went on a 75-yard touchdown drive, beginning with a 36-yard completion from Leonard to Aneyas Williams. The drive was punctuated by a 2-yard touchdown run by Jeremiyah Love, who had struggled with injury but still managed to power through for the score. Notre Dame’s offense, which had been uncharacteristically slow in the first half, was suddenly clicking, and the Irish took their first lead of the game at 17-10 early in the fourth quarter.

However, Penn State wasn’t about to let the game slip away without a fight. On the ensuing drive, Allar and the Nittany Lions responded with a 75-yard drive, eating up 3:45 of clock and tying the game at 17-17 with a 7-yard touchdown run by Singleton. Allar was efficient on the drive, completing all three of his passes for a total of 57 yards.

Key Mistakes and Notre Dame’s Clutch Response

The momentum began to shift in favor of Penn State as the Irish defense faltered, allowing the Nittany Lions to retake the lead. On Notre Dame’s next drive, Leonard threw an interception on the first play, which gave Penn State excellent field position at the 27-yard line. Singleton then powered through for his third touchdown of the game, putting the Nittany Lions back on top 24-17 with 7:55 remaining.

But just as it seemed Penn State had regained control, Notre Dame mounted another impressive response. Leonard connected with Jaden Greathouse on a 54-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 24-24 with 4:38 left. Greathouse, who had been one of the stars of the night with 105 receiving yards, broke free from the Penn State defense and took advantage of a slip by a Nittany Lions defensive back. The game had become a true test of which team could execute in the final moments.

With just over two minutes remaining, Notre Dame took over at its 24-yard line after a crucial stop by the defense. However, the Irish offense faced a significant setback when Leonard was sacked by Penn State, pushing them out of field-goal range. But the Irish got a boost when Penn State defensive lineman Zane Durant was called for a hands-to-the-face penalty, moving Notre Dame closer to field-goal territory.

With 47 seconds left, Notre Dame’s hopes rested on one final drive. The Irish needed a miracle, and it came with the help of Penn State’s costly mistake. Allar, who had been solid for much of the second half, made a critical error. On second down at the 28-yard line, Allar rolled out to his left and, under pressure, threw across his body. The pass was intercepted by Notre Dame’s Christian Gray at the 42-yard line, giving the Irish one last shot at the win.

The Final Drive and Game-Winning Field Goal

Leonard made a crucial throw to Greathouse on third down, moving the ball to the 25-yard line. With time running out, Leonard kneeled twice to position the ball for the game-winning field goal attempt. Jeter, who had already made a crucial 41-yard field goal earlier in the game, came onto the field for the 41-yard attempt. The kick sailed through the uprights, giving Notre Dame a 27-24 victory and sending the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Key Players and Performances

Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard finished the game with 223 passing yards on 15 completions, including one touchdown and two interceptions. While his performance was far from flawless, he made critical plays when it mattered most. His ability to respond after an interception and lead his team downfield for the game-winning score was crucial.

Jeremiyah Love, despite battling a knee injury, led the Irish in rushing with 45 yards and a key touchdown. Williams added 83 yards of total offense, contributing to the Irish’s unexpected passing success in the second half. On defense, Notre Dame’s resilience was evident as they held Penn State to just 63 rushing yards in the second half, compared to the 141 yards they allowed in the first half.

For Penn State, Nick Singleton was the star of the game, rushing for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Allar, despite some strong moments, ultimately sealed the Nittany Lions’ fate with his late interception. Tight end Ty Warren added 75 receiving yards for Penn State, and while the Nittany Lions’ defense was stout at times, it was their inability to make the key stop late in the game that proved costly.

This thrilling victory in the Orange Bowl will be remembered for its dramatic turns and crucial mistakes. Notre Dame proved that even in the face of adversity, they could execute when it counted most. Now, with their eyes set on the College Football Playoff National Championship, the Fighting Irish are ready to face their next challenge, whether it’s Texas or Ohio State, as they seek to capture the ultimate prize in college football.

Notre Dame reaches College Football Playoff title game with late field goal against Penn State

College Football Playoff: Notre Dame beats Penn State 27-24 on late field goal

Notre Dame edges Penn State on late field goal in Orange Bowl