The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame advanced to the college football title game with a 27-24 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions, delivering one of the most thrilling finishes in recent bowl history.
Quarterback Riley Leonard guided the Irish offense with resilience and poise, bouncing back from two interceptions to throw for 223 yards, including a crucial 54-yard touchdown strike to Jaden Greathouse. Greathouse, a standout target all game, racked up 105 receiving yards. Leonard also added a rushing touchdown, showcasing his versatility and leadership as Notre Dame maintained a balanced offensive attack.
The game started as a defensive battle, with both teams trading field goals in the early going. Penn State leaned heavily on their dominant ground game as the contest wore on, with Nick Singleton rushing for 84 yards and scoring all three of Penn State's touchdowns. Singleton’s third-quarter heroics helped the Nittany Lions erase a 10-point deficit and seize a 24-17 lead entering the final quarter.
However, Notre Dame owned the fourth quarter. A 2-yard touchdown run by Jeremiyah Love tied the game, and the Irish defense rose to the occasion, shutting down Penn State’s passing attack and forcing a late turnover on downs. Kicker Spencer Schrader then drilled the go-ahead field goal, and the Irish defense held firm on Penn State's desperate final play to secure the victory.
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar struggled with consistency, completing just 52% of his passes for 135 yards. Despite strong rushing performances from Kaytron Allen (82 yards) and Singleton, the Nittany Lions’ offense faltered on key third downs, converting just 3 of 11 attempts. Meanwhile, Notre Dame’s efficiency in the red zone (3 for 3) and their ability to force turnovers proved crucial.
The Irish defense, led by a relentless front seven, applied pressure throughout the game, recording five sacks and forcing two turnovers. Their discipline and grit in the closing moments helped seal the victory for the Fighting Irish.
Check out analyst Len Clark's full stats breakdown here!