Notre Dame is heading to the first College Football Playoff National Championship game of the expanded format era after a 27-24 comeback win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Thursday.

Fighting Irish kicker Mitch Jeter kicked the game-winning 41-yard field goal, capping a back-and-forth between the two storied programs.

Notre Dame’s comeback victory might never have happened if quarterback Riley Leonard hadn’t mustered the strength to return to the game after an injury.

“He’s a competitor and competitors find a way to win,” Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman said in a postgame interview on ESPN immediately after the game. “It’s an honor to be a part of this with him.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

The Penn State Nittany Lions take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish semifinals at the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 9, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Leonard was forced to leave the game in the second quarter, forcing substitute Steve Angeli. At that point, Notre Dame was already down 10-0. But Angeli helped the Irish get back into the swing of things with a field goal, giving Notre Dame its first points as the Irish trailed 10-3 heading into halftime.

But Leonard got back into the game in the second half and led a touchdown drive to tie the game. In a hard-fought second half, the two teams exchanged point for point.

EX-NFL STAR, WITH TIES TO ELI MANNING TRADE, DISCUSSES THE CHANCES OF SHEDEUR SANDERS REJECTING TITANS FOR GIANTS

Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter (11) celebrates a tackle on Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Leonard had a chance to put the ball ahead with two minutes left, but Penn State’s defense came up with a big third-down sack to force a Notre Dame punt.

Then Allar returned to the field for the biggest moment of his career, a chance to deliver a game-winning performance with fewer players and potentially put himself in the conversation for the top quarterback in the NFL Draft. And in that moment, he threw an interception to give the ball right back to Leonard and the Irish.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates a touchdown with teammates during the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

Then Leonard came back on the field and led the final drive that put Jeter in position to seal the deal.

“I just trusted in Jesus,” Leonard said in a postgame interview with ESPN.

Notre Dame’s storybook run continues after it celebrated a historic win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans just a day after a deadly terrorist attack that left 14 innocent people dead.

The Irish face the winner of the Cotton Bowl on Friday between Ohio State and Texas.

Follow Fox News Digital Sports coverage on Xand subscribe the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.