Riley Leonard acknowledges that he provided various explanations when asked why he decided to transfer after last season and ultimately choose Notre Dame. He clarified, “The reality is that I came here to pursue a national championship and to join the best team that would give me the best opportunity to achieve that.”
His decision appears to be paying off. Leonard, who reportedly earned over $1 million through NIL agreements after leaving Duke to join the Fighting Irish, is now taking the time to rest before competing for the title on January 20.
Just a day after coming out of the medical tent following a concussion evaluation, Leonard led Notre Dame to a thrilling 27-24 victory over Penn State. Now, he awaits to learn whether the championship game opponent will be Ohio State or Texas, who were set to clash in the Cotton Bowl on Friday night.
For a moment, it seemed unlikely that Notre Dame would make it to the finals, especially during a tough stretch late in the second quarter at the Orange Bowl on Thursday. Under pressure from Penn State’s defense, the Irish could only manage 90 yards, five first downs, and no points before Leonard suffered a hit from Zane Durant and Dvon J-Thomas, prompting his exit.
As Leonard was assessed, Steve Angeli stepped in and quickly sparked a scoring drive that led to a field goal, narrowing the gap to 10-3. Upon returning in the third quarter, Leonard looked revitalized, and Notre Dame’s performance shifted dramatically.
“When I saw Riley come back in, I said ‘this guy’s a fighter,'” said Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans. “He has the most heart. You could see it in how he runs the ball. No matter what, he finds a way to lead us.”
Leonard utilized both his passing and running skills to orchestrate impressive drives of 75 and 72 yards, resulting in two touchdowns during the third quarter. With the team trailing 24-17 in the fourth, he made a critical connection with Jaden Greathouse, who scored a 54-yard touchdown after a Penn State defender slipped, bringing the game to a 24-24 tie.
The game concluded with notable contributions from Christian Gray and Mitch Jeter. Gray’s interception of a pass from Drew Allar paved the way for Jeter’s 41-yard field goal, which clinched the win. This victory secures one more game for Leonard and his teammates, along with a chance to bring home a national title to Notre Dame for the first time since 1988.
Leonard reaffirmed his commitment to Notre Dame, saying, “Clearly, this is the right place for me, and I made the right choice. That’s ultimately why I came here.”
