The semifinals, played at the Orange Bowl in Miami, started off slow. The teams went scoreless after the first quarter and combined for just 13 points in the first half before combining for 31 points in the fourth quarter alone.

After three punts to start the game, the Nittany Lions intercepted Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard in the first quarter, setting up the game’s first score. Penn State gained 55 yards in 14 plays after the pick and got close to the 1-yard line before finally settling for a short field goal.

After another punt, the Nittany Lions mounted a thrilling 15-play drive that spanned 90 yards for a touchdown, giving them a 10-0 lead in the second quarter. Although Leonard had to leave to be checked for a possible concussion, Notre Dame answered the touchdown with a field goal, thanks to an attack led largely by backup QB Steve Angelli.

Leonard arrived early in the second half and tied the game by leading an eight-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a short score.

Three drives later, the Fighting Irish would drive 71 yards for another score early in the fourth period that began the hectic end of the game. Trailing 17-10, Penn State engineered a 75-yard touchdown drive to tie the game, then intercepted Riley and scored again to take a 24-17 lead.

But Notre Dame responded quickly, tying the game less than four minutes later thanks to a 54-yard touchdown catch by Jaden Greathouse.

After the teams traded punts, the Nittany Lions had two timeouts with 47 seconds left and had the ball to start a game-winning drive, but Allar was intercepted on the second play of the possession. That led to Jeter’s free kick 26 seconds later.

The Fighting Irish will now play in the national championship game on Friday against the winner of Ohio State and Texas.