Notre Dame 27, Penn State 24: Fighting Irish edge thriller in final seconds
In a heart-pounding showdown between two traditional college football powerhouses, steeped in history and grit, Notre Dame clawed their way past Penn State, 27-24, to punch their ticket to the College Football Playoff final. The storied programs, both searching for their first national title since 1988 and 1986 respectively, delivered a classic that gave this viewer relentless drama amongst numerous game-changing moments.
Penn State started aggressively. A high throw by Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard was picked off by Zakee Wheatley, the seventh interception by the Nittany Lions in this series of playoff games. Quarterback Drew Allar orchestrated a high-tempo offense, relying on screens and pounding runs from the dynamic Penn State rushing duo of Nicholas Singleton and Kaetron Allen, and lined up tight end Tyler Warren in the wildcat formation to unsettle the Irish defense. Singleton’s five-yard touchdown capped a gruelling 15-play, 90-yard drive in the second quarter, leaving former ESPN Analyst Greg McElroy to comment, “They’re just physically dominating the Fighting Irish.”
By half-time, Penn State were 10-3 up, with Notre Dame struggling to establish their ground game, held to just 15 yards' rushing with star back Jeremiyah Love visibly struggling. Backup Irish quarterback Steve Angeli replaced Leonard when Notre Dame's starting signal caller went off temporarily, completing his first four passes and driving his team to a field goal, kicked by Mitch Jeter, to keep them in touch at the half.
Second half
Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman, interviewed at half-time, admitted his team needed to "run the ball better and stop the run". His comments seemed to ignite the Irish. Jeremiyah Love, previously hindered by a knee concern, burst out of the gates in the second half, racking up 24 yards on three carries to kick start a game-tying 75-yard drive. Quarterback Riley Leonard capped it with a three-yard touchdown run, leveling the score at 10-10.
The fourth quarter was a whirlwind of back-and-forth football. Love’s two-yard touchdown run, ducking under a diving Abdul Carter gave the Irish their first lead at 17-10, but Penn State responded with a lightning-fast seven-play drive capped by Singleton’s second score of the night, tied the game. His third arrived after a Drew Allar interception was called back by a pass interference play which gave the Nittany Lions the ball on Notre Dame's 9-yard line and set up the prolific running back who pushed Penn State into a 24-17 lead with 7:55 left on the clock. Leonard and Irish sophomore receiver Jaden Greathouse then connected on a stunning 54-yard touchdown to tie the game at 24 with just over four minutes left.
When Penn State got the ball back with under a minute remaining, it felt like a scripted Hollywood ending was in store for the Nittany Lions. Instead, Christian Gray’s interception on the Penn State 42-yard line swung the pendulum back to Notre Dame. With ice in his veins, kicker Mitch Jeter drilled a 41-yard field goal with seven seconds left, sending the Irish faithful into a frenzy.
“He’s a competitor, and he finds a way to win,” Freeman said of Leonard, whose resilience after an early interception and a stint in concussion protocol proved crucial.
Notre Dame would await the winner of the Texas-Ohio State second semi-final, but the Irish can revel in their first trip to a national championship game since 2012. If this game was any indication, they’re ready for the fight.
Ohio State 28, Texas 14: Buckeyes dominate Longhorns late on to set up College Football Playoff Final spot
In a game of punches and counter punches, Ohio State outlasted Texas 28-14 in the second College Football Playoff semifinal at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, sealing their spot in the national championship against Notre Dame. The Buckeyes leaned on big plays and a dominant fourth quarter to dispatch the Longhorns in just their fourth-ever meeting.
The stage was set by Ed Varney’s wailing saxophone rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner, filling the stadium with anticipation. Both teams have started fast in the playoff games, but it was Ohio State that struck first. Quarterback Will Howard spread the ball effectively, connecting with Emeka Egbuka for two key first downs before Quinshon Judkins weaved through the Texas line for a nine-yard touchdown, giving the Buckeyes a 7-0 lead.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers showed flashes of brilliance, including explosive passes to Deandre Moore and Ryan Wingo, but the Buckeyes’ defense, anchored by the impressive scarlet-and-grey triumvirate of Caleb Downs, JT Tuimolau and Jack Sawyer, stifled the Longhorns early. Downs’ touchdown-saving tackle on Wingo and Ohio State's relentless pass rush left Texas playing catch-up.
The Longhorns had done their homework on Jeremiah Smith, restricting him to just one cattch for three receiving yards all game, forcing Howard to throw in front of the Texas safeties and rely on his talented receivers Ebguka and Carnell Tate to pick up yards after the catch. With 29 seconds left in the first half, Ewers found Jaydon Blue at the back of the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown pass, drawing the Longhorns level just before the half.
One analyst noted ominously before the game that “Ohio State has so many weapons, you can’t just focus on Jeremiah Smith,”. Texas ran a cornerback blitz, enabling Will Howard to loft a screen pass to TreVeyon Henderson who took the ball 75 yards to the end zone on a stunning play in the dying seconds that deflated Texas fans as the Buckeyes took a 14-7 lead into half-time.
Second half
The second half saw Texas surge, led by Ewers’ improvisation and a gritty 12-play, 67-yard drive capped by a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jaydon Blue. The Longhorns tied it at 14-14, with their first third-quarter score in seven games.
Ohio State’s game-changing drive in the fourth quarter spanned 13 plays and 88 yards, highlighted by Howard’s gutsy 18-yard scramble on fourth-and-two. Judkins finished it off with a one-yard touchdown, his second of the game, to give the Buckeyes a 21-14 lead with just over seven minutes remaining.
Texas fought back, changing some looks on offense and playing up tempo with quick passes to Gunnar Helm and Matthew Golden, were encamped on Ohio State's one-yard line with all four downs available to tie the game. Jaydon Blue was tackled for a 7-yard loss before linebacker Jack Sawyer delivered a dagger into his former room-mate at Ohio State, Ewers and Texas Longhorn hearts. With Texas threatening at the one-yard line, Sawyer strip-sacked Ewers, scooped up the fumble, and rumbled 82 yards for a defensive touchdown, cementing Ohio State’s victory. “He just became a legend at Ohio State,” head coach Ryan Day said of his captain after the game.
Ewers’ late interception by Caleb Downs sealed the deal, allowing Ohio State to run out the clock and punch their ticket to the title game.
The Buckeyes now face a historic showdown with Notre Dame, as two powerhouse programs vie for college football’s ultimate prize, this Monday evening, 20th January.
Across The Pond College Football
In the latest episode of Across The Pond College Football, Tony and I relive and break down the drama of two epic College Football Playoff semi-finals that left fans on the edge of their seats. We ask has Notre Dame officially claimed the mantle of "America's Team"? With the stage set for an unforgettable College Football Final on January 20th, we look at what’s to come and share our predictions.
Great blog on 2 exciting games, supported by some excellent clips of the action ….. well will it be Ohio?
😜