Riley Leonard has made an incredible comeback.
The Notre Dame quarterback scored a third-quarter touchdown Thursday night against Penn State and scored 10 points apiece in the Orange Bowl.
The score came on a 3-yard run up the middle by Leonard after he was ejected early in the first half after taking a hard hit with 1:37 left.
Leonard was tested for a concussion and was reportedly replaced by Steve Angeli on the final drive of the second half.
The reserve completed 6 of 7 for 44 yards, and Mitch Jeter's 41-yard field goal gave the Irish their first score of the night.
But Leonard took the reins again as the second half began, leading Notre Dame with a nine-play, 80-yard drive.
The senior comes into Thursday's matchup having appeared in 14 games for the Irish this season, rushing for 2,383 yards, 18 touchdowns and six interceptions, while also adding 843 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. This was his first game in South Bend since his three years at Duke.
The 22-year-old was once thought to be a potential first-round NFL draft pick, but his stock has risen again this season, but now he could be a late-round pick. expensive.
Showing off your toughness probably isn't a bad thing either.
And so is the fact that despite some down moments, Leonard helped lead Notre Dame to a 27-24 victory over Penn State in a classic College Football Playoff semifinal game. It is.
Leonard and the Fighting Irish will face the winner of Friday night's game between Ohio State and Texas in the national championship game on Jan. 20.
