Notre Dame Edges Penn State in Orange Bowl Thriller: Quarterfinal Recap
Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl Recap
In a thrilling College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl, No. 7 Notre Dame edged out No. 6 Penn State 27-24 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The game, marked by intense back-and-forth action, showcased elite defenses and clutch performances under the lights.[1][2]
Game Highlights and Turning Points
Penn State's Nicholas Singleton tied an Orange Bowl record with three rushing touchdowns, including a 5-yard score for a 10-0 halftime lead and two more in the fourth to push ahead 24-17. Notre Dame fought back with Riley Leonard's 3-yard rush and a pivotal 54-yard touchdown pass to Jaden Greathouse, tying it at 24-24. Christian Gray's interception of Drew Allar set up the game-winner.[2][1]
Heroics and Path Forward
Mitch Jeter sealed Notre Dame's victory with a 41-yard field goal as seven seconds remained, earning advancement to the semifinals. Leonard was named Most Outstanding Offensive Player with 223 passing yards and a score, while Gray took defensive honors. This nail-biter advances the Fighting Irish, leaving Penn State to reflect on a valiant effort.[2][5]
About the People Mentioned
Nicholas Singleton
Nicholas Singleton is an American college football running back for the Penn State Nittany Lions.[2] Born in Shillington, Pennsylvania, he attended Governor Mifflin High School, where he amassed 6,326 rushing yards and 116 touchdowns over his career, including 2,043 yards and 41 touchdowns as a senior, earning Gatorade Pennsylvania Football Player of the Year honors as a five-star recruit ranked the top running back in the class of 2021.[1][2][4] Singleton committed to Penn State over offers from Alabama, Notre Dame, and Ohio State.[2] As a true freshman in 2022, he led the team with 941 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 6.3 yards per carry while adding 706 all-purpose yards; he earned Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year and Second-Team All-Big Ten honors as a kick returner, highlighted by a 100-yard touchdown return against Rutgers.[1][2] In 2023, he rushed for 752 yards and eight touchdowns across 13 games.[2] His 2024 season was breakout, with 1,099 rushing yards (6.4 average), 12 touchdowns, and Big Ten-leading 1,805 all-purpose yards (seventh nationally); paired with Kaytron Allen, they formed one of two FBS duos each surpassing 1,000 rushing yards, and he added five receiving scores.[1][2] Through early 2025 (four games), he has 200 rushing yards and five touchdowns.[2] Career totals at Penn State include 3,112 rushing yards (fifth in school history for touchdowns at 32), 5.6 yards per carry, 41 total touchdowns (tying for second all-time), and 993 kick return yards.[1][2] Notable feats include a Penn State-record 179 rushing yards in his Beaver Stadium debut versus Ohio in 2022 and multiple 40-plus-yard touchdown runs in a game.[1] As of 2026, Singleton remains a key returner for Penn State, bolstering their backfield alongside peers like Allen.[3]
Riley Leonard
Riley Leonard, born September 13, 2002, in Fairhope, Alabama, is a professional American football quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts.[1][3][4][7] A standout multi-sport athlete at Fairhope High School, he excelled in football, basketball, and track, earning Class 7A Player of the Year honors in football after leading his team to a 27-2 record, along with two *AL.com* Coastal Male Athlete of the Year awards in basketball.[1][2][4][5] Leonard began his college career at Duke University in 2021, appearing in seven games with one start as a freshman.[3] As a sophomore in 2022, he became the full-time starter, leading Duke to a 9-4 record with 2,967 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, 699 rushing yards, and 13 rushing scores, earning Offensive MVP and Military Bowl MVP accolades.[1][2][3] In 2023, injuries limited him to seven starts (4-3 record), prompting his transfer to Notre Dame via the portal.[1][3][5] At Notre Dame in 2024, Leonard had a breakout season, starting all 16 games for a 14-2 record, completing 269 of 403 passes for 2,861 yards and 21 touchdowns, while rushing for 906 yards and 17 touchdowns—setting a school record for quarterback rushing scores in a season.[2][3][4] He was a Comeback Player of the Year semifinalist and helped the Fighting Irish reach the national championship game.[2][4] Selected by the Colts in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Leonard's dual-threat style—marked by mobility, poise, and leadership—has drawn NFL scout praise, though his passing efficiency (career 7.2 yards per attempt) remains an area for growth.[3][4][7] As of late 2025, he faces a team quarterback crisis amid a reported knee injury.[7] Career college stats: 7,311 passing yards, 45 passing TDs, 2,130 rushing yards, 36 rushing TDs over 43 games.[3]
Jaden Greathouse
Jaden Marcus Greathouse, born October 29, 2004, in Austin, Texas, is an American college football wide receiver for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.[1][10] A consensus four-star recruit ranked among the top prospects in Texas, he chose Notre Dame over offers from Texas, Oklahoma, and others after a stellar high school career at Westlake High School.[1][3][7] At Westlake, Greathouse became the program's most prolific receiver with 232 receptions, 4,035 yards, and 53 touchdowns—ranking 15th in Texas high school football history for yards.[2][3] He helped secure three consecutive state championships, earning 2021 State Championship Offensive MVP honors with a record 236 receiving yards in the title game.[1][2][3] As a multi-sport athlete, he also excelled in basketball, averaging 13.8 points per game as a junior to lead Westlake to the Texas 6A semifinals.[1][3][5] Greathouse debuted for Notre Dame in 2023 against Navy, catching three passes for 68 yards and two touchdowns despite a hamstring injury that limited him to 18 receptions, 265 yards, and a team-high five scores over 12 games.[1][2][3] In 2024, as a sophomore starter in 11 games, he recorded 42 catches for 592 yards (team-high) and four touchdowns, including a career-first 100-yard game (105 yards, one TD) in the Orange Bowl win over Penn State.[1][2][3] During the College Football Playoff, he exploded for 13 receptions, 233 yards, and three touchdowns across key games, highlighted by six catches for 128 yards and two scores in the National Championship loss to Ohio State.[1][2] Entering his junior season in 2025 (four games: four receptions, 73 yards), the 6'1", 212-pound wide receiver remains Notre Dame's clear WR1, noted for his physical contested-catch ability and big-game reliability amid a football family pedigree—father Chris played at Washington State, uncle Oscar coaches at Wyoming.[2][3][10]
Christian Gray
**Christian Gray** is an American college football cornerback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, born May 26, 2005.[1] A four-star recruit from De Smet Jesuit High School in Creve Coeur, Missouri, he chose Notre Dame over offers from Alabama, LSU, USC, and Ohio State, also excelling in track with personal bests of 11.31 seconds in the 100-meters and 22.64 in the 200-meters.[1][3] Gray debuted as a freshman in 2023, playing 12 games with 11 tackles, two pass deflections, and one interception.[1] As a sophomore in 2024, he started 15 games, recording 35 tackles, nine pass breakups, three interceptions—including a 99-yard pick-six against USC that clinched a College Football Playoff (CFP) bid—and a crucial interception in the CFP Semifinal versus Penn State.[1][3] In 2025 as a junior, he started eight games, tallying 16 tackles and nine pass breakups, with two interceptions and 17 tackles overall per some reports.[1][3] Career stats through 2025 include 62 tackles, 20 pass deflections, and six interceptions over 35 games.[1] He has discussed his faith, family influence—losing his father young—and growth under coach Mick in interviews, aspiring to be the nation's top cornerback.[6] As of early 2026, Gray remains a key Notre Dame defender with NFL potential, active in recent seasons amid the program's CFP runs.[3][7] (Note: Other Christian Grays exist, including a CSUN basketball player undrafted in 2022 and an actor in shows like Chicago P.D., but the Notre Dame footballer is the most prominent athlete by search prominence.)[2][4][5]
Drew Allar
Drew Allar is an American college football quarterback who played for the Penn State Nittany Lions from 2022 to 2025.[1][2][4] A five-star recruit ranked as the No. 1 quarterback in the 2022 class, he committed to Penn State over offers from programs like Ohio State, drawn by the team's tradition and coaching staff.[2][3][4] From Medina High School in Ohio, Allar set school and county records as a multi-sport athlete, including 9,103 career passing yards, 98 touchdowns, a single-season high of 4,444 yards, and 48 touchdowns in 2021-22; he earned Ohio Mr. Football honors.[2][5][6][7] At Penn State, he opened his career with an FBS-record 311 pass attempts without an interception, surpassing Robert Griffin III's mark, and became the first Big Ten quarterback since 2000 to start a season with 175+ attempts and zero picks.[1] As a sophomore in 2023, Allar started all 13 games, completing 233-of-389 passes for 2,631 yards, 25 touchdowns, and two interceptions, with a national-second 12.5-to-1 TD-INT ratio; he added 170 rushing yards and four scores.[1][2] His junior year featured 3,327 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and eight interceptions across 16 starts, plus 302 rushing yards and six scores, helping Penn State to its College Football Playoff debut; he was a team captain and earned multiple Offensive Player of the Game nods.[1] Career stats rank him highly at Penn State: fourth in passing yards (7,402), third in touchdowns (61), first in completion percentage (63.1%) and interception percentage (1.30).[4] In his 2025 senior season, Allar suffered a broken left ankle in an October 11 loss to Northwestern, his third straight defeat amid coach James Franklin's firing; he finished with 1,100 passing yards, nine total touchdowns, and three interceptions, missing the regular season's end while redshirting for rehab as a captain.[4] Projected as a 2025 NFL Draft first-round pick, Allar has leveraged NIL deals for an estimated $1.79 million net worth as of January 2025.[6]
Mitch Jeter
Mitch Jeter is an American college football placekicker who played for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks from 2021 to 2023 before transferring to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the 2024 season.[1][3][6] Born in Concord, North Carolina, and raised in the area, he attended Cannon School, where he ranked as a top-10 national kicker prospect.[5] Standing 5'11" and weighing 195 pounds, Jeter began his college career as a freshman kickoff specialist at South Carolina in 2020, averaging 58.2 yards per kick with 22 touchbacks and earning SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll honors.[1] In 2023, Jeter took over placekicking duties for South Carolina, achieving a perfect 11-for-11 on field goals, including 52- and 51-yard makes and a 35-yard game-winner against Clemson; he also converted 42-of-44 extra points and averaged 62.1 yards per kickoff with 50 touchbacks.[1][6] He earned one of three Outstanding Student-Athlete Awards at South Carolina's banquet and became one of two kickers in school history to convert all field goals in a season with at least 10 attempts.[1] Transferring to Notre Dame in 2024, Jeter overcame injuries with holistic chiropractic care from his father, Dr. Andrew Jeter, enabling a historic season.[2] He went 11-for-11 on field goals, including two 50-yarders, and made College Football Playoff history with three 40+ yard field goals (44, 48, 47) against Penn State, a pair of 41-yarders (including a game-winner) against Penn State, and key kicks in the national championship run.[1][2][3] His final-seconds field goal propelled Notre Dame to their first title since 2013.[2] Career stats include a 78.3% field goal rate, 97.8% extra points, a 53-yard long, and 239 points.[3] As a senior in 2024, Jeter remains highly relevant as Notre Dame's clutch "Mr. January" kicker, dubbed a hero for playoff heroics.[1][3] (298 words)
About the Organizations Mentioned
Notre Dame
## Overview The University of Notre Dame (often referred to simply as “Notre Dame”) is a premier private Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, Indiana, USA. Founded in 1842 by Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., it is renowned for its rigorous academics, storied athletics, and deep commitment to Catholic values. The university offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, with its College of Engineering and other disciplines consistently ranked among the best nationally. ## Mission and Activities Notre Dame’s mission is to be “a powerful force for good,” educating students to be ethical leaders and global citizens who serve society through innovation, research, and community engagement[1]. The College of Engineering, for example, focuses on developing solutions to global challenges, educating the whole person, and conducting research that translates fundamental discoveries into impactful technologies[1]. The university also emphasizes global engagement, operating 12 global locations and offering 92 study abroad programs, which recently earned it the 2025 Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization[3]. ## History and Key Achievements Notre Dame’s history is marked by rapid expansion from a small college to a world-class research institution. Its football program, the Fighting Irish, is iconic in American collegiate athletics, competing as an independent in NCAA Division I FBS and playing at the historic Notre Dame Stadium[5]. Academically, Notre Dame is known for interdisciplinary research, particularly in areas like global affairs, engineering, and the humanities. The university’s leadership—including President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., and a robust administrative structure—guides its strategic direction[4]. ## Current Status and Notable Aspects Today, Notre Dame is recognized for its blend of tradition and innovation. It continues to invest in faculty, student support, and infrastructure, with recent strategic plans emphasizing inclusivity, sustainability, and the integration of faith and reason[1]. The university’s global footprint, commitment
Penn State
## Overview Pennsylvania State University, commonly known as Penn State, is a major public research university and Pennsylvania’s sole land-grant institution. It is renowned for its comprehensive mission of teaching, research, and public service, aiming to “improve the lives of the people of Pennsylvania, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality programs in teaching, research, and service”[5]. Penn State’s main campus is located in University Park, with 19 branch campuses across the state, a medical school in Hershey, a law school in Dickinson, and additional specialized institutions[5]. The university offers a broad range of degrees—associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional—as well as continuing education programs[5]. ## History Founded in 1855 as the Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania, Penn State’s origins reflect its commitment to practical education[1][2]. The institution was established with a 200-acre land donation from James Irvin and was initially focused on applying scientific principles to farming[1][3]. It was renamed the Agricultural College of Pennsylvania in 1862 and became the state’s land-grant college following the passage of the Morrill Act in 1863[2][3]. Under the leadership of President George W. Atherton in the 1880s, the curriculum expanded to include engineering, the sciences, liberal arts, and more, aligning with the broader mandate of land-grant institutions[1][2]. The university’s name changed to Pennsylvania State College in 1874 and finally to Pennsylvania State University in 1953[2][3]. ## Key Achievements Penn State has a long tradition of innovation in education and research. It was among the first institutions to integrate cooperative extension and outreach programs in the early 1900s, extending its academic influence statewide[1]. The university’s engineering program quickly became one of the ten largest in the nation[
Capital One Orange Bowl
The **Capital One Orange Bowl**, organized by the Orange Bowl Committee, is a premier nonprofit sports entity founded in 1935 to boost South Florida tourism via an annual college football bowl game and supporting events.[1][2][3][5] This 370- to 400-member, primarily volunteer group has evolved into a regional powerhouse, hosting year-round championships in basketball, tennis, swimming, paddle sports, youth football, and regattas, while driving economic impact through premier entertainment.[1][4][5][6] Historically, the game debuted on January 1, 1935, at Miami Field, shifting to Miami Orange Bowl stadium in 1938 and Hard Rock Stadium in 1996.[2] It gained national prominence in the 1990s via the Bowl Coalition, Alliance, and BCS, hosting championships in 1994, 1995, 1998, 2001, 2005, plus BCS titles in 2009 and 2013.[2] Capital One secured title sponsorship in 2014 through a multi-year ESPN deal, elevating it as the official credit card/banking partner for the College Football Playoff (CFP); it hosted semifinals in 2015 and 2018, and typically pits the ACC champion against top Big Ten, SEC, or Notre Dame teams.[1][2] Prior sponsors included FedEx (1989–2010) and Discover (2011–2014).[2] Key achievements include injecting millions into the local economy, committing $50 million over two decades to community improvements, and fostering youth via scholarships, academic programs, and events like the Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance.[3][4][5][6] Notable traditions feature an Orange Bowl Queen coronation and parade floats.[2] Recent highlights: Tennessee's 31-14 win over Clemson in 2022, with QB Joe Milton III as MVP before a 63,912 sellout crowd.[3] Currently thrivin
College Football Playoff
The **College Football Playoff (CFP)** is an annual knockout tournament established in 2014 to determine the national champion of NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the highest level of college football in the U.S.[1][2]. It replaced the Bowl Championship Series (BCS), which had been criticized for its selection process. Unlike the BCS’s reliance on polls and computer rankings, the CFP uses a 13-member selection committee composed of current and former athletic directors, coaches, and other professionals to rank and seed teams, emphasizing strength of schedule and overall performance[1][3]. From its inception through the 2023 season, the CFP featured a four-team single-elimination format culminating in the College Football Playoff National Championship game, which rotates its host city annually and draws significant national attention and tourism[1][2]. Ohio State won the inaugural championship in January 2015[2]. In 2024, the playoff expanded to a **12-team format**, allowing automatic bids to the five highest-ranked conference champions and additional at-large teams, increasing opportunities and generating greater competitive excitement[1][9]. This expansion reflects the evolving business landscape of college football, aiming to enhance fan engagement, broadcasting revenues, and the sport’s overall visibility[1][9]. The CFP is governed by a Board of Managers, including commissioners from the ten FBS conferences and Notre Dame’s athletic director, who oversee the organization’s operations, budgeting, and strategic direction[4][8]. The College Football Playoff Foundation, also established in 2014, leverages the platform to support charitable initiatives and community impact[4]. Notable aspects include the committee’s influential role in shaping the postseason landscape and ongoing debates about playoff expansion size and selection criteria[1][3]. The CFP stands as a significant business and sports technology model, combining data-driven decision-making with traditional sports management to deliver a premier championship experience. Overall, the CFP represents a transformative approac
Hard Rock Stadium
**Hard Rock Stadium** is a premier multi-purpose venue in Miami Gardens, Florida, primarily serving as the home for the NFL's **Miami Dolphins** and NCAA's **Miami Hurricanes** football teams, while hosting major sports events, concerts, and global spectacles.[1][2][4] Opened on August 16, 1987, as **Joe Robbie Stadium**, it marked a milestone as the first U.S. multipurpose stadium fully privately financed by Dolphins founder Joe Robbie, who funded it through luxury suites, club seats, and season tickets after rejecting rent hikes at the aging Orange Bowl.[1][2][5] Designed with foresight for football, soccer, and baseball—featuring a wide rectangular grandstand—it welcomed MLB's expansion Florida Marlins in 1993 with minimal tweaks, enabling their World Series wins in 1997 and 2003.[1][3][5] The Marlins departed after 2011 for a new ballpark, as the venue never fully optimized for baseball.[3] Renamings reflected sponsorship shifts: Pro Player Stadium (mid-1990s), Land Shark Stadium (2009 briefly), Sun Life Stadium, and **Hard Rock Stadium** since 2016.[1][3][5] Dolphins owner **Stephen M. Ross** acquired 95% stake by 2009 and spearheaded a transformative $500+ million renovation (2015-2016), adding a massive canopy for shade/rain protection, lowering seats 24 feet closer to the field, modernizing concourses, and boosting fan experience to rival top NFL venues—reducing capacity to 65,326.[2][3][6] Key achievements include six **Super Bowls** (XXIII, XXXIII, XLI, XLIV, LIV, and another), two World Series, four BCS National Championships, the 2021 College Football Playoff title, the ATP/WTA **Miami Open**, **Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix**, and 20
