First quarter Penn state began the game receiving the opening kickoff and taking a touchback. On their second play from scrimmage during the first possession, Penn State's running back
Nicholas Singleton gained 23 yards on a screen pass from
Drew Allar, moving the ball into Notre Dame territory. However, after a 1-yard run, an incomplete pass, and a false start penalty pushed the Nittany Lions back, the drive stalled, and they were forced to punt from the Notre Dame 44 yard-line. Notre Dame's offense started deep in its own territory at its 11 yard-line, and executed a number of short runs and passes to move the chains once. On the ensuing set of downs, Notre Dame faced a 3rd down and 7 from Notre Dame's own 25 yard-line, during which
Riley Leonard connected with
Mitchell Evans for a 32-yard gain. This pushed the Irish into Penn State territory, but the drive stalled. Notre Dame punted the ball, pinning Penn State at their own 2-yard line with 8:30 remaining in the quarter. Beginning on the fourth play of the drive, with a 2nd and 10 from Notre Dame's own 40 yard-line with 1:39 remaining in the game, Angeli and the Irish marched down the field, converting three third downs and moving into Penn State's red zone. But after Angeli was sacked by
Abdul Carter, Notre Dame called a timeout with two seconds left in the half. Notre Dame's
Mitch Jeter then drilled a 41-yard field goal, cutting Penn State's lead to 10–3 at halftime. After incurring a delay of game penalty prior to their first play from scrimmage, running back
Jeremiyah Love provided a spark, gaining 24 yards on four consecutive carries. After Jadrian Price converted a 2nd and 1, Notre Dame had the ball at their own 45 yard-line with 13:20 remaining in the quarter. Leonard then threw a 36-yard pass to Williams, which followed by a 15-yard run by Williams to set up 1st and goal at the 4 yard-line. After gaining one yard on 1st and goal, Leonard capped the drive off with a 3-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 10 after Jeter's successful extra point with 10:46 remaining in the quarter. Leonard began the possession with a five-yard run to Penn State's 37 and, following a Notre Dame timeout, ran for two yards on second down to the Penn State 35. Notre Dame called timeout before facing a 3rd and 3, which the Irish converted on a 10-yard pass from Leonard to Greathouse. Notre Dame had won the Orange Bowl, with Jeter's field goal providing the decisive score.
Statistics ==Aftermath==