Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard started the second half of Thursday's College Football Playoff semifinal against Penn State after clearing concussion protocol at halftime, coach Marcus Freeman told ESPN's Molly McGrath coming out of the locker room.

Riley Leonard’s heroics in the CFP semifinal took place at Hard Rock Stadium, the home field of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagaovailoa.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard was ushered off the field by officials after a possible concussion in the Orange Bowl against Penn State, but returned.

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.

Notre Dame football saw its backup quarterback, Steve Angeli, enter the College Football Playoff semifinal game against Penn State Thursday.

Notre Dame is headed to the College Football Playoff final after a thrilling win over Penn State. The Fighting Irish came back from a 24-17 deficit in the fourth quarter to clinch a championship berth. The Nittany Lions’ season ends after a brutal late-game interception by Drew Allar set up the game-winning kick.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard started the second half of Thursday's College Football Playoff semifinal against Penn State after clearing concussion protocol at ...

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard was ushered off the field by officials after a possible concussion in the Orange Bowl against Penn State.

Listen to the game-winning call of Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter hitting a 41-yard field goal to send the Irish back to the CFP championship game:

Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are officially heading to the College Football Playoff National Championship after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions, 27-24, in the Capital One Orange Bowl.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard made just enough plays through the air and on the ground to help will the Fighting Irish to a win, but he couldn't have done it without backup quarterback Steve Angeli, who Leonard was quick to praise after the game.

Leonard and Notre Dame are going to the College Football Playoff title game, after he threw for 223 yards ... the last two minutes of the first half while being evaluated for a concussion. He was cleared to return and now is heading to the title game ...