Notre Dame football trusted the arm and legs of Riley Leonard to make a College Football Playoff run. But Fighting Irish fans got their hearts to sink during the first half of the Orange Bowl.

The starting quarterback sustained a massive hit against Penn State during the second quarter. But Leonard went straight to the medical tent with fear of a concussion. ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel reshared the hit, which shows Leonard taking a helmet near the neck area but landing on the back of his head hard.

Leonard left the game completing 6-of-11 passes for 63 yards and an interception. Steve Angeli handled the QB reins in Leonard's absence. He completed 6-of-7 throws for 44 yards. But the Irish trailed 10-3 at halftime.

Did Notre Dame rule out Riley Leonard? 

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) participates in a drill during a Notre Dame football practice at Irish Athletic Center on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, in South Bend.
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ESPN sideline reporter Molly McGrath confirmed Leonard was tested for a concussion. However, Leonard came out asymptomatic. That gave the Irish leverage to keep Leonard in the game.

Leonard indeed came back out of the huddle to start the third quarter with Notre Dame. The Irish's first play, however, ended with a delay of game penalty.

Notre Dame took some precautions with its QB1. They chose to pound the football for the first three offensive plays with Jeremiyah Love. He collected 24 yards on those three carries including gaining one first down.

Leonard didn't throw his first pass until under 12:50 in the third. However, he hit Aneyas Williams on a 36-yard connection to get ND inside the Penn State red zone. That completion became the biggest play of the night for the Irish.

Leonard then bravely attacked the middle of the Penn State defense. The dual-threat QB called his own number on a misdirection run. Leonard followed two blockers, one of them Love, and powered into the end zone from three-yards out. Leonard's return tied the game up 10-10 and got the Irish to strike first on their opening second half drive.