Notre Dame football relied on defense and the legs of Riley Leonard to keep their season alive on Jan. 2. The Fighting Irish are now positioned to clinch their first national championship game appearance since the 2012 season.

Drew Allar, Riley Leonard and both defenses will play a key role when Penn State and Notre Dame meet in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl.

With just under six minutes left to play in Thursday's Sugar Bowl, Notre Dame held a 23-10 lead against Georgia and faced a third-and-seven. The Fighting Irish