Notre Dame is in the National Championship for the first time since 2013

On Thursday night time, the Notre Dame Preventing 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 aspect. 

They hit a discipline aim 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 recreation, it was tied 24-24 and Penn State had the ball. A discipline aim 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 discipline aim. 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 School Soccer (@CFBONFOX) January 10, 2025

It’s been 36 years since Notre Dame has been on high of the faculty soccer mountain high. Lou Holtz and the Preventing 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 remaining yr of the BCS Nationwide Championship. For the reason that School Soccer Playoff period began in 2014, Notre Dame has made three appearances within the postseason. That features their run to the overall recreation in 2024.

The Preventing Irish final appeared within the playoffs in 2021. Notre Dame misplaced 31-14 to Alabama within the Rose Bowl. Thursday night time’s matchup vs. Penn State was an prompt basic and the sport may have gone both method. Riley Leonard had two expensive interceptions vs. the Nittany Lions however his group nonetheless discovered a method 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 discipline aim. On Monday, January, 20, Notre Dame will play within the Nationwide Championship. They may face the winner of Ohio State vs. Texas who play within the Cotton Bowl on Friday.