Notre Dame football and Penn State have now participated in more games than in any prior college football season in their respective histories.
Both programs are aligned in their objectives, as the No. 7 Fighting Irish (13-1) and Nittany Lions (13-2) have the opportunity to contend for the national championship, requiring two additional victories to attain a chance at a historic triumph. Notre Dame and Penn State are set to compete at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in the College Football Playoff Orange Bowl quarterfinal at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Notre Dame is pursuing its 12th national championship, the first since 1988, and Penn State is aiming for its inaugural national championship since 1986 and the third in the program’s history. This marks the Fighting Irish’s third appearance in the semifinals. Notre Dame has a record of 0-2 in prior appearances, whilst Penn State is participating in its inaugural semifinal game.
Penn State just achieved a notable 31-14 victory against No. 3 Boise State on New Year’s Eve, while Notre Dame secured a commendable 23-10 win over No. 2 Georgia on January 2. The series between the two programs stands at 9-9-1, with the Nittany Lions emerging victorious in their latest encounter in 2007.
The victor of Thursday’s semifinal will compete against the victor of Friday’s match between No. 5 Texas and No. 8 Ohio State in the national championship game on January 20.
Monitor the following for live scores, updates, and highlights of Thursday’s CFP semifinal match between No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 6 Penn State:
Updates on the Orange Bowl score
This section will be revised upon the commencement of the game.
TEAMS First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Final
Notre Dame 0 3 7 – – Penn State 0 10 0 – –
Third quarter: Penn State 10, Notre Dame 10
Notre Dame compels a three-and-out on Penn State’s initial drive.
Notre Dame’s defence countered a touchdown drive by the offence by compelling the Penn State offence to a three-and-out. Christian Grey halted Kaytron Allen for no gain on a third-and-2, resulting in a forced punt.
Notre Dame will commence its second possession of the second half at its own 30-yard line.
Riley Leonard, Notre Dame equalises in the third quarter of the Orange Bowl.
After recovering from an injury on the last drive of the first half, Riley Leonard concludes a scoring drive for Notre Dame with a 3-yard rushing touchdown, equalising the score at 10-10 with 10:46 remaining in the third quarter.
The scoring drive comprised eight plays, covering 75 yards, and consumed 4:14 of the game clock for the Fighting Irish. Jeremiyah Love accumulated 24 running yards throughout the drive, but Aneyas Williams had 15 rushing yards and 36 rushing yards.
Riley Leonard returns to the pitch for the second half for Notre Dame.
After a touchback on the opening kickoff of the second half, quarterback Riley Leonard is on the field for Notre Dame, having been evaluated for a concussion and found asymptomatic. He has returned to commence the second half.
Halftime: Penn State 10, Notre Dame 3 Halftime statistics for Notre Dame vs. Penn State
This is a comparison of the quarterbacks:
Riley Leonard: 6 completions on 11 attempts, 63 yards; Steve Angeli: 6 completions on 7 attempts, 44 yards
Drew Allar: 5 completions out of 13 attempts, 53 yards
Statistics of notes:
Total yards: Notre Dame 122, Penn State 194
Rushing yards: Notre Dame 15, Penn State 141
Passing yards: Notre Dame 107, Penn State 53
First downs: Notre Dame 8, Penn State 12
Possession duration: ND 12:47, PSU 17:13
Fouls: ND 2-11, PSU 2-10
Turnovers (points derived from turnovers): ND 1 (3), PSU 0 (0)
Steve Angeli guides Notre Dame to a score drive concluding the first half.
In the wake of Riley Leonard’s injury, backup quarterback Steve Angeli guides Notre Dame to a field goal, concluding the first half. Mitch Jeter successfully converts a 41-yard field goal, reducing the deficit to 10-3 before halftime. Notre Dame executes a 13-play drive covering 52 yards in the last 2:18 to reduce the deficit to a touchdown.
Marcus Freeman did not provide an update on Leonard prior to halftime.
Riley Leonard proceeds to the injury tent.
Starting quarterback of Notre Dame Riley Leonard proceeds to the injury tent due to a possible injury sustained from a hit during an incomplete pass. Backup Steve Angeli has entered the game for the Fighting Irish.
