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.

An all-time Orange Bowl ended in thrilling fashion and fans reacted in huge ways as Notre Dame heads to the national championship game

The third time was the Irish charm for Notre Dame. After having two interceptions nullified by pass interference penalties, the Fighting Irish's Christian Gray picked off Drew Allard in the final minute of Thursday's Orange Bowl,

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

Mitch Jeter made a 41-yard field goal with eight seconds left to give the Fighting Irish a 27-24 win over Penn State in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night. The Irish will play the winner of Friday's Ohio State vs. Texas matchup in the College Football Playoff title game on Jan. 20.

The Fighting Irish started slowly, but rallied to take down the Nittany Lions and advance to the national championship game.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Mitch Jeter kicked a 41-yard field goal with eight seconds left as fifth-ranked Notre Dame edged fourth-ranked Penn State 27-24 in a thrilling Orange Bowl Thursday night before a sellout crowd of 66,881 at Hard Rock Stadium.

Christian Gray intercepted Drew Allar with 33 seconds left before Mitch Jeter banged through a 41-yard field goal with 12 seconds left to win it.

Notre Dame is on the brink of making its first national championship appearance since the 2012 season when they faced Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game. The Fighting Irish, however, haven't hoisted a national title since their 1988 victory.