The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are heading to the national championship game for the first time since 1988 after a thrilling 27-24 victory over Penn State in the College Football Playoff Semifinal. In a wild back-and-forth affair, Notre Dame made just enough plays down the stretch to hold off a resilient Nittany Lions squad and keep their title hopes alive.
A Season of Resilience for the Fighting Irish
Notre Dame’s journey to the precipice of college football glory has been defined by their ability to overcome adversity. Head coach Marcus Freeman, in just his second full season, has navigated a minefield of challenges – from devastating injuries to his offensive line and star players, to hard-fought battles against elite opponents. Yet through it all, the Fighting Irish have found a way to keep moving forward.
Somehow the Irish got by despite getting dominated up front for much of the game. And against either Texas’ very good or Ohio State’s otherworldly defensive front, that might continue to be the case… Somehow the Irish keep overcoming the attrition.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly on Notre Dame’s resilience
That resilience shone through in the Orange Bowl against Penn State. The Irish fell behind 10-0 and appeared on the ropes against a fierce Nittany Lions pass rush that sacked quarterback Riley Leonard five times. But Notre Dame punched back, scoring 17 unanswered points on each side of halftime to seize momentum.
The Stars Align in Crunch Time
Even after Penn State surged back in front 24-17 early in the fourth quarter, the Fighting Irish refused to yield. Wide receiver Jaden Greathouse authored an iconic playoff moment:
Suddenly on the ropes, Notre Dame responded when PSU corner Cam Miller slipped to the ground covering Greathouse, and the sophomore receiver broke free for a 54-yard catch-and-run touchdown.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly on Jaden Greathouse’s game-tying TD
Then, with the game on the line, cornerback Christian Gray made the defensive play of the season – a sprawling interception of Penn State QB Drew Allar that set up kicker Mitch Jeter’s 41-yard game-winning field goal.
The Fighting Irish Formula
How has Notre Dame made this improbable run? By excelling in key areas:
- Dominating the “middle eight” minutes surrounding halftime, where they outscored Penn State 10-0
- Winning third downs, converting 11 of 17 while holding PSU to 3 of 11
- Timely big plays like Greathouse’s long TD and Gray’s pick that swung the game
The Dream Continues
Now, Marcus Freeman is on the cusp of history – with a chance to become the first Black and Asian American head coach to lead his team onto the field with a national title on the line. Standing in the way will likely be either a talent-rich Texas team or a juggernaut Ohio State squad.
But if this playoff run has proven anything, it’s to never count out the fighting spirit of Notre Dame. With their backs against the wall, the Irish have shown they should never be underestimated. The college football world will be watching to see if they can find a way, yet again, to emerge victorious on the sport’s grandest stage.
