When Leonard went to the injury tent on Notre Dame's final possession of the first half, Angeli entered and provided a spark. He completed 6 of 7 passes for 44 yards as the Fighting Irish moved into position for their first points of the game on a 41-yard Mitch Jeter field goal as time expired in the second quarter.

The third time was the Irish charm for Notre Dame. After having two interceptions nullified by pass interference penalties, the Fighting Irish's Christian Gray picked off Drew Allard in the final minute of Thursday's Orange Bowl,

Notre Dame outlasted Penn State in the Orange Bowl to advance to the College Football Playoff national championship game in Atlanta

For the first time since 2012, Notre Dame will play for a national title. The Fighting Irish advanced to the College Football Playoff National Championship with a 27-24 win against Penn State in Thursday evening's Orange Bowl.

Mitch Jeter made a 41-yard field goal with eight seconds left to give the Fighting Irish a 27-24 win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night. The Irish will play the winner of Friday's Ohio State vs. Texas matchup in the College Football Playoff title game on Jan. 20.

With under 20 seconds remaining, Fighting Irish kicker Mitch Jeter nailed a 41-yard high-flying attempt to secure the win.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Mitch Jeter kicked a 41-yard field goal with eight seconds left as fifth-ranked Notre Dame edged fourth-ranked Penn State 27-24 in a thrilling Orange Bowl Thursday night before a sellout crowd of 66,881 at Hard Rock Stadium.

Christian Gray intercepted Drew Allar with 33 seconds left before Mitch Jeter banged through a 41-yard field goal with 12 seconds left to win it.

Notre Dame is on the brink of making its first national championship appearance since the 2012 season when they faced Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game. The Fighting Irish, however, haven't hoisted a national title since their 1988 victory.