Notre Dame's legendary comeback in the Orange Bowl against Penn State was the Fighting Irish's best victory of the season. Here are the key takeaways from Notre Dame's historic semifinal win.
Photo via Notre Dame Athletics
No. 7 Notre Dame's cathartic 27-24 victory over No. 6 Penn State was the perfect embodiment of the culture Marcus Freeman has created at Notre Dame.
"Choose hard" and "Team glory" have been the two mantras that Freeman has preached all year, and especially after the Irish's sole loss of the season to Northern Illinois. In the semifinal game against Penn State, his team certainly had to adopt the two sentiments he had been emphasizing throughout the entirety of the season. Here are the key takeaways from Notre Dame's Orange Bowl victory.
Next Man In
Notre Dame entered the "Final Four" as the most injured team, and that trend continued in the semifinal. LT Anthonie Knapp left the game with a high ankle injury, and RG Rocco Spindler left the game with an injury, as well. Not to mention Riley Leonard leaving the game late in the second quarter as the Irish were desperately starved for points.
The "next man in" mentality worked as backup LT Tosh Baker and RG Charles Jagusah performed admirably, even exceeding the play from the previous starters. Steve Angeli replaced Leonard to run the two-minute drill, as he led the Irish downfield in a drive that resulted in field goal, which cut the deficit to one score before halftime.
Somehow and someway, the Irish have been able to overcome all the injuries that their starters have endured throughout this lengthened college football season. Many believed Benjamin Morrison's midseason injury would end Notre Dame's championship hopes, but Leonard Moore has stepped up with All-American-level play. Rylie Mills' injury in the playoff's first round was expected to be one the Fighting Irish's defensive line couldn't overcome. Gabriel Rubio and Donovan Hinish debunked that theory, as well.
Mitch Jeter: Mr. January
It's fitting that the biggest question for Notre Dame fans entering the playoff push—Mitch Jeter's recovery from his groin injury and the field goal unit's reliability—has now become one of the team's greatest strengths.
I was at the Coliseum when Jeter missed a 27-yard chip shot in the season finale against USC. I also saw Jeter go 0/2 in the week prior on a cold, frigid night in the Bronx. However, since the playoffs began, Jeter has transformed into one of Notre Dame's most trusted weapons. His game-winning 41-yard field goal against Penn State was the biggest example of this, and he will certainly be needed in the national championship game where points will be at a premium.
Mike Mickens' Secondary
Zero catches. Zero yards.
That was the stat line from Penn State's wide receiving unit in the Orange Bowl against the nation's best secondary.
Leonard Moore, Jordan Clark, Xavier Watts, Adon Shuler, and Rod Heard were all phenomenal in their coverage against both Penn State's wide receivers and the mega threat that is Tyler Warren.
Then, there is Christian Gray, who for the second time this year, saved Notre Dame and single handedly flipped the outcome of the game. First, it was the 98-yard pick six against USC that sunk the Trojans' comeback hopes. This time, the interception with 44 seconds left on a poor decision from Drew Allar was ultimately the difference that propelled the Irish to the national championship game.
In a game next week where it will be a strength-on-strength matchup, the Irish's DBs vs Ohio State's WRs, coach Mickens' unit must once again show up to the occasion.
Notre Dame's Aerial Attack
Most of the chatter after Notre Dame's Sugar Bowl win against Georgia was the Fighting Irish's lack of a passing threat. Riley Leonard finished that game with only 90 passing yards, and Notre Dame's receiving core was extremely disrespected.
Entering the Orange Bowl, it was clear offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock wanted to get more done in the air, and they found success through many different targets. Jaden Greathouse became Notre Dame's first 100-yard receiver this season and recorded a career high seven catches for 105 yards. Mitchell Evans also returned to his form from last season and had five catches for 58 yards. Aneyas Williams, the freshman running back for the Fighting Irish, had five catches of his own for 66 yards.
Ultimately, Riley Leonard finished the game 223 yards and a passing touchdown. While Leonard did have two interceptions, he showed the capability of finding success throwing downfield.
These were the key takeaways from Notre Dame's victory over Penn State that propelled the Fighting Irish into the national championship. It was one of the greatest victories I have seen in my lifetime for the Fighting Irish. They have done the hard part, navigating their way to the national championship game. While they are perceived to be severe underdogs in the matchup against the Buckeyes, anything can happen when the lights are the brightest, and when players are on the biggest stage.
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