For the first time since 2012, Notre Dame will play for a national title. The (7) Fighting Irish advanced to the College Football Playoff National Championship with a 27-24 win against (6) Penn State in Thursday evening's Orange Bowl.

How to watch Orange Bowl College Football Playoff game between Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Penn State Nittany Lions Thursday, with time, TV channel.

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. / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Notre Dame outlasted Penn State in a 27-24 thriller to reach the program's first national championship game since 2012 in the Orange Bowl. Thanks to the 12-team College Football Playoff format, the Fighting Irish officially became the first team to win multiple bowl games in the same season.

It’s been a long time since either Notre Dame or Penn State reached college football’s mountaintop as national champions.

In an era that is now long gone, a trip to the Orange Bowl meant a break from the rough weather up north and the capper to a successful season that might even end with a championship trophy in the case.

The national championship matchup is set. The Ohio State football team will take on Notre Dame next Monday night in Atlanta with everything on the line. Both the Fighting Irish and the Buckeyes were tested in the semifinal round as Notre Dame narrowly outlasted Penn State,

The Penn State Nittany Lions fought until the end against Notre Dame but came up short. But while the Orange Bowl loss last week ended their season, one star player has decided to call it quits at Penn State.