The biggest Notre Dame strength showed up in the most crucial moment, and it pushed the Fighting Irish to the national championship game

For the first time since the 2012 college football season, Notre Dame earned a spot in the national championship game following their 27-24 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions. It was a contest where the Fighting Irish appeared on the ropes early on, trailing 10-0 late in the first half. Marcus Freeman’s squad never […]

Ryan Roberts — National College Football Writer
Add as preferred source on Google
Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrates a touch down in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium.
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

For the first time since the 2012 college football season, Notre Dame earned a spot in the national championship game following their 27-24 victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions. It was a contest where the Fighting Irish appeared on the ropes early on, trailing 10-0 late in the first half. Marcus Freeman’s squad never flinched.

During the victory, this Notre Dame team stayed true to itself. While it wasn’t the prettiest showing from the Irish defense, Al Golden’s squad did something very familiar, and it came in the biggest moment of the football game. They forced a massive turnover.

With just 33 seconds left in the contest, the Irish forced its 32nd turnover of the season when star cornerback Christian Gray intercepted an errant pass from Penn State quarterback Drew Allar. It was Gray’s third interception of the season, and it set the Irish up right outside of field goal range.

Everyone knows the remainder of the story. Notre Dame picked up a first down, wasted some time on the clock, and placekicker Mitch Jeter took the lead with a 41-yard field goal. It was a poetic ending to the game, a continued redemption story for Jeter in the playoffs, and an Irish defense making the biggest play in the most important moment.

This Notre Dame team isn’t perfect, but they continue to prove doubters wrong and win football games. A big reason for this 13-game win streak is their stellar defense. That group showed up again, and continues to be way more than a complimentary piece to this team. It’s their heartbeat. 

Related Articles