January 10, 2025 12:44 am ET
It’s been 36 years since Notre Dame last won a national championship. Now, it’s one win away from ending that drought after defeating Penn State in the Orange Bowl, 27-24. That means a trip to Atlanta for the College Football Playoff title game.
The opportunity to come is what the Irish have worked all season for, and it took some comeback magic against the Nittany Lions to make it happen. They battled through one issue after another as far as injuries, illnesses and simply falling behind. But champions withstand all of those things, and the Irish have proven themselves worthy of being called that.
Before we look ahead to the final game of the season, let’s take a look back at the semifinal win that made the trip to that game possible. Specifically, let’s look at the best images that were captured by those who photograph sports for a living. Hopefully for them, you’ll remember at least one of these:
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate defeating the Penn State…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Tosh Baker (79) celebrates…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Tosh Baker (79) celebrates with offensive lineman Sam Pendleton (72) after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Tosh Baker (79) celebrates…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish offensive lineman Tosh Baker (79) celebrates with offensive lineman Sam Pendleton (72) after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) celebrates…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) celebrates after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Deion Colzie (0) celebrates…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Deion Colzie (0) celebrates after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) celebrates…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) celebrates after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 2024 Orange Bowl in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Marty Auer (19) celebrates after…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Marty Auer (19) celebrates after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the 2024 Orange Bowl in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate defeating the Penn State…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Tae Johnson (16) celebrates after…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Tae Johnson (16) celebrates after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Leo Scheidler (82) celebrates…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Leo Scheidler (82) celebrates after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate drafting the Penn State…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; The Notre Dame Fighting Irish celebrate drafting the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish fans celebrate after the game against…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish fans celebrate after the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Micah Shrewsberry celebrates defeating…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Micah Shrewsberry celebrates defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Micah Shrewsberry celebrates defeating…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Micah Shrewsberry celebrates defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Micah Shrewsberry celebrates defeating…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Micah Shrewsberry celebrates defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates defeating…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates defeating…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates defeating…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jack Kiser (24) defensive lineman…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jack Kiser (24) defensive lineman Howard Cross III (56) Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Xavier Watts (0) and quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrate deafening the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates defeating…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jack Kiser (24) defensive lineman…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Jack Kiser (24) defensive lineman Howard Cross III (56) safety Xavier Watts (0) and quarterback Riley Leonard (13) and cornerback Christian Gray (29) celebrate deafening the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) and Notre…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) and Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Micah Shrewsberry celebrate after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Christian Gray (29) celebrates play…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Christian Gray (29) celebrates play in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Steve Angeli (18) throws the…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Steve Angeli (18) throws the ball in the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Capital One Orange Bowl – Penn State v Notre Dame
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 09: Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish…
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 09: Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Capital One Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium on January 09, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish place kicker Mitch Jeter (98) kicks…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish place kicker Mitch Jeter (98) kicks the ball in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) scores…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) scores touch down in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) celebrates…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) celebrates a touch down the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) leaps…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) leaps for the ball pressured by Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Zion Tracy (7) in the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Donovan Hinish (41) leaps…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Donovan Hinish (41) leaps over Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Kobe King (41) in the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jayden Thomas (83) runs…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jayden Thomas (83) runs the ball in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) makes…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) makes catch in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) runs…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) runs the ball in for a touch down in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrates…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrates a touch down in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) runs the…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) runs the ball in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) runs…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) runs the ball in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Micah Shrewsberry reacts in…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Micah Shrewsberry reacts in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) scores touch…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) scores touch down in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
NCAA Football: Orange Bowl-Notre Dame at Penn State
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates a…
Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates a touch down with teammates in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images