THE NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH It's not the luck of the Irish. It's the skill, the grit, the perseverance, the clutch factor. Notre Dame beat Penn State, 27-24, in the Orange Bowl to advance to the College Football Playoff National Championship.

While most players will be diplomatic about who they would prefer to play in a championship game, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love said in no

For the first time since 2012, Notre Dame will play for a national title. The Fighting Irish advanced to the College Football Playoff National Championship with a 27-24 win against Penn State in Thursday evening's Orange Bowl.

Notre Dame knocked off Penn State with a late field goal in the Orange Bowl to reach the College Football Playoff championship game.

Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jack Kiser (24) defensive lineman Howard Cross III (56) Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) and quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrate deafening the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Mitch Jeter made a 41-yard field goal with eight seconds left to give the Fighting Irish a 27-24 win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night. The Irish will play the winner of Friday's Ohio State vs. Texas matchup in the College Football Playoff title game on Jan. 20.

Penn State were so close to playing for a national championship. Instead, the Nittany Lions' CFP journey ended in pain at the Orange Bowl.

Notre Dame football coach Marcus Freeman has scored a historical first. Freeman, whose Fighting Irish won their Orange Bowl college football semifinal game on Thursday, will be the first Black and first Asian American coach to compete in the national championship game.

Christian Gray had a memorable interception and Mitch Jeter kicked a game-winning 41-yard field goal to lead Notre Dame to a 27-24 win over Penn State and a spot in the national title game.