Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter delivers a game-winning field goal with seconds left to defeat Penn State 27-24 in a nail-biting College Football Playoff semifinal.
Notre Dame secured its place in the College Football Playoff final on Thursday, defeating Penn State 27-24 in a thrilling match that went down to the wire. Fighting Irish kicker Mitch Jeter connected on a 41-yard field goal with eight seconds remaining to secure the victory. The game-winning kick was set up after Notre Dame 's defense intercepted Penn State quarterback Drew Allar on the previous possession, giving them the ball in a prime scoring position.
The semifinal matchup, held at the Orange Bowl in Miami, started at a slow pace. Both teams were scoreless after the first quarter, and they only managed to combine for 13 points in the first half before erupting for 31 points in the fourth quarter alone. The game featured several lead changes and momentum swings. After three punts to start the game, Penn State intercepted Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard in the first quarter, setting up their first score. They capitalized on the turnover with a short field goal. Following another punt, Penn State embarked on a grueling 15-play, 90-yard drive for a touchdown, establishing a 10-0 lead in the second quarter. Though Leonard had to exit the game briefly for concussion evaluation, Notre Dame responded to the touchdown with a field goal, aided by a drive spearheaded by backup quarterback Steve Angelli. Leonard returned in the second half and tied the game by leading an eight-play, 75-yard drive that culminated in a short touchdown run. Three drives later, the Fighting Irish marched 71 yards for another score early in the fourth quarter, marking the beginning of the game's frantic finish. Trailing 17-10, Penn State rallied with a 75-yard touchdown drive to tie the game, followed by an interception of Leonard, leading to another score and a 24-17 lead. However, Notre Dame quickly answered, tying the game less than four minutes later on a 54-yard touchdown reception by Jaden Greathouse. After the teams traded punts, Penn State had the ball with two timeouts and 47 seconds remaining to attempt a game-winning drive, but Allar was intercepted on the second play of the possession. This turnover set up Jeter's game-winning field goal 26 seconds later. The Fighting Irish will now face the winner of the Ohio State and Texas matchup in the national championship game on January 20th
College Football Notre Dame Penn State College Football Playoff Semifinal Thriller Mitch Jeter Drew Allar Riley Leonard
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