MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 09: Quarterback Riley Leonard #13 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gets ready to throw the ball during the game between the Penn State Nittany Lions versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on January 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL.

Notre Dame's Leonard, Gray named MVPs of Orange Bowl

Daniel Valente
1 year ago
Icon Sportswire / Getty

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard and cornerback Christian Gray were named Orange Bowl MVPs.

Both played crucial roles in Notre Dame rallying past Penn State 27-24 Thursday night to get to the College Football Playoff National Championship.

After falling behind 10-0 early, Leonard led the Fighting Irish by throwing one touchdown pass and running in another in the victory. He totaled 223 passing yards and 35 rushing yards. Leonard was also picked off twice.

Meanwhile, Gray's interception off Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the final minute helped set up Mitch Jeter's game-winning 41-yard field goal.

Notre Dame will meet the winner of Ohio State vs. Texas on Jan. 20 for the national title.

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