Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard returned in the second half after leaving the game due to an injury before halftime in the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal on Thursday night and led the Fighting Irish to a 27-24 victory.

An all-time Orange Bowl ended in thrilling fashion and fans reacted in huge ways as Notre Dame heads to the national championship game

The third time was the Irish charm for Notre Dame. After having two interceptions nullified by pass interference penalties, the Fighting Irish's Christian Gray picked off Drew Allard in the final minute of Thursday's Orange Bowl,

For the first time since 2012, Notre Dame will play for a national title. The Fighting Irish advanced to the College Football Playoff National Championship with a 27-24 win against Penn State in Thursday evening's Orange Bowl.

Mitch Jeter made a 41-yard field goal with eight seconds left to give the Fighting Irish a 27-24 win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night. The Irish will play the winner of Friday's Ohio State vs. Texas matchup in the College Football Playoff title game on Jan. 20.

Get your Notre Dame Orange bowl champions gear to celebrate the Fighting Irish going to the National Championship

Notre Dame outlasted Penn State in the Orange Bowl to advance to the College Football Playoff national championship game in Atlanta

Christian Gray intercepted Drew Allar with 33 seconds left before Mitch Jeter banged through a 41-yard field goal with 12 seconds left to win it.

Notre Dame is on the brink of making its first national championship appearance since the 2012 season when they faced Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game. The Fighting Irish, however, haven't hoisted a national title since their 1988 victory.