Notre Dame is within the Nationwide Championship for the primary time since 2013

On Thursday evening, the Notre Dame Combating Irish and Penn State Nittany Lions met within the Orange Bowl. Each groups had been one win away from punching their ticket to the Nationwide Championship. On the finish of the primary half, Penn State was up 10-3. Nevertheless, the momentum was on Notre Dame’s facet. 

They hit a area purpose late within the second quarter to get themselves on the board earlier than halftime. Notre Dame made the right changes within the second half and outplayed Penn State. With below 40 seconds left within the sport, it was tied 24-24 and Penn State had the ball. A area purpose would have gained the group the sport. Junior QB Drew Allar held the ball too lengthy and tried to make a troublesome throw. The go was intercepted by Notre Dame and that set them up for a game-winning area purpose. Marcus Freeman and the Irish walked away with a 27-24 victory. Notre Dame is within the Nationwide Championship for the primary time since 2013.

Can the Irish win their first nationwide championship since 1988?

NOTRE DAME IS GOING TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP ☘️🏆 pic.twitter.com/5KKypQ0yTO

— FOX Faculty Soccer (@CFBONFOX) January 10, 2025

It’s been 36 years since Notre Dame has been on prime of the faculty soccer mountain prime. Lou Holtz and the Combating Irish final gained all of it in 1988. Notre Dame final appeared within the Nationwide Championship in 2013. They misplaced 42-14 to Alabama of their ultimate yr of the BCS Nationwide Championship. Because the Faculty Soccer Playoff period began in 2014, Notre Dame has made three appearances within the postseason. That features their run to the entire sport in 2024.

The Combating Irish final appeared within the playoffs in 2021. Notre Dame misplaced 31-14 to Alabama within the Rose Bowl. Thursday evening’s matchup vs. Penn State was an instantaneous basic and the sport might have gone both approach. Riley Leonard had two pricey interceptions vs. the Nittany Lions however his group nonetheless discovered a option to win. Notre Dame’s defensive unit got here up clutch within the largest second of the sport. Cornerback Christian Grey had the interception of Drew Allar that arrange the Irish’s game-winning area purpose. On Monday, January, 20, Notre Dame will play within the Nationwide Championship. They’ll face the winner of Ohio State vs. Texas who play within the Cotton Bowl on Friday.