Notre Dame gets late pick and field goal to make CFP championship game with win over Penn State

January 09, 2025 Last Updated: January 09, 2025 11:32 PM Sports

Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore (15) grabs Penn State running back Kaytron Allen (13) during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Notre Dame cornerback Leonard Moore (15) grabs Penn State running back Kaytron Allen (13) during the first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) aims a pass during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Notre Dame, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) aims a pass during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Notre Dame, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Penn State, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) aims a pass during first half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Penn State, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) scores a touchdown during the second half of the Orange Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Penn State, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Notre Dame place kicker Mitch Jeter (98) kicks an extra point during the second half of the Orange Bowl against Penn State, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Associated Press

Rebecca Blackwell

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — A diving interception off an ill-advised pass set up Notre Dame's trip to play for the program's 12th national title after a thrill-a-minute 27-24 victory over Penn State on Thursday night in the Orange Bowl.

Fighting Irish defensive back Christian Gray snared Drew Allar's pass across the middle at the Nittany Lions 42-yard line with 33 seconds left, then the Irish moved 19 yards to set up Mitch Jeter's 41-yard winner with 7 seconds left.

The game featured three ties, three lead changes and 31 points in the fourth quarter alone.

Notre Dame (14-1), seeded seventh in this, the first 12-team college playoff, will have a chance to bring its first title since 1988 back under the Golden Dome with a game Jan. 20 against the winner of Friday night’s Texas-Ohio State semifinal.