Notre Dame Fighting Irish punched their ticket to the national championship game with a nail-biting 27-24 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal. The game, held on January 9, 2025, showcased high-stakes drama, including a late-game interception and a decisive 41-yard field goal by kicker Mitch Jeter.
With just over two minutes left in the game, Notre Dame’s defense came up clutch as cornerback Benjamin Morrison intercepted Penn State quarterback Drew Allar. This crucial turnover gave the Fighting Irish possession deep in Nittany Lions territory, setting up their game-winning drive.
Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman, who threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns, calmly led his team into field goal range. Jeter, who had been reliable all season, split the uprights as time expired, sparking jubilant celebrations from the Notre Dame faithful.
The game was a back-and-forth affair. Penn State tied the game at 24 with a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, benefiting from a controversial pass interference call. However, Notre Dame’s resilience and timely defense sealed their place in the championship.
The Fighting Irish now turn their attention to the national championship on January 20, where they’ll aim to secure their 12th title and first since 1988. Head coach Marcus Freeman praised his team’s composure, saying, “This was a complete team effort, and I couldn’t be prouder of our guys.”
