Notre Dame place kicker Mitch Jeter (98) celebrates after kicking the game winning field goal during the second half of the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against Penn State, Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

MIAMI — Penn State had one last chance to score, but a failed lateral by Penn State quarterback Drew Allar as time expired secured a thrilling with for Notre Dame, 27-24, in Thursday night’s Orange Bowl.

The win propels the Fighting Irish (14-1) to the CFP National Championship game against either Ohio State or Texas.

With seven seconds left, Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter sank a 41-yard field goal to give Notre Dame the lead over Penn State, 27-24, and the defense did the rest on Penn State’s final possession.

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar threw a costly interception near midfield on Penn State’s second-to-last drive which set up Notre Dame’s game-winning drive.

The Nittany Lions (13-2) held a 10-0 lead over the Fighting Irish in the second quarter after a 5-yard touchdown run by Nicholas Singleton with 2:18 remaining in the second quarter. Notre Dame made it a 10-3 deficit with a 41-yard field goal before halftime.

In the second half, however, Notre Dame and Penn State went back and forth.

Riley Leonard had a 3-yard touchdown run for the Fighting Irish which tied the game at 10-10 with 10:46 to play in the third quarter. Wtih 14:07 to play, Jeremiyah Love had a 2-yard touchdown run for Notre Dame to give the Irish a 17-10 lead. Penn State would score two straight touchdowns — both by Singleton — on runs of 7 yards both times to build a 24-17 lead with 7:55 to play.

But that touchdown run by Singleton would be Penn State’s final points. Leonard caught a 54-yard touchdown pass rom Jaden Greathouse with 4:38 to play which tied the game at 24-all before Jeter’s go-ahead field goal with seven seconds remaining.

Leonard ended the game going 15 for 23 for 223 yards and a touchdown and two interceptions while Allar went 12 for 23 for 140 yards and had a pick. Both Singleton and Kaytron Allen had good performances on the ground with Singleton rushing 15 times for 84 yards with three touchdowns and Allen rushing the ball 19 times for 82 yards.