Notre Dame – Syndication Server

Colin Cowherd compares Riley Leonard to this superstar NFL quarterback

That is one heck of a comp

While Notre Dame football quarterback [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] didn’t have his best game against Penn State, the Irish still managed to pull out a victory and advance to the College Football Playoff championship game.

While he did throw two interceptions, the transfer went 15-of-23 for 223-yards and a touchdown, with 35-yards on the ground and another score. His performance stood out to Fox Sports [autotag]Colin Cowherd[/autotag], as he went to social media to make a bold comparison for Leonard, to three-time Buffalo Bills Pro Bowler [autotag]Josh Allen[/autotag].

While Leonard is a bit smaller than Allen, both stand over 6-foot, 4-inches and weigh over 215-pounds. They are great runners at the position, and while the current potential NFL MVP played at Wyoming, he still put up impressive numbers. The Irish starter has done the same, but to me I see on big difference, it’s that Allen was a much better passer than Leonard at this point in each of their developments.

Yes, Allen did make strikes at this in the NFL, but he showed much more glimpses of becoming the player he is today. Leonard has some work to do, and while I wouldn’t compare him to Allen, I can see why Cowherd did.

Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Zakee Wheatley (6) sacks Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Riley Leonard (13) in the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

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Kyle Hamilton throws shade at Penn State after Notre Dame’s win

No surprise from the former Irish star

So many eyes were on Notre Dame football’s win over Penn State in the College Football Playoff semifinals on Thursday night, and one of those was of former Irish star [autotag]Kyle Hamilton[/autotag].

The All-Pro for the Baltimore Ravens knew exactly what he wanted to say following the Irish’s huge victory, and quickly went to social media to share it. Hamilton posted a picture of the Nittany Lions logo shared on social media by Greg Flammang, with their saying “We are” but not how they finish it. He completed the saying with “going home” as Notre Dame has now sent home Penn State back to State College.

It’s always great to see former Notre Dame stars rooting on the program, and now they will get to see the Irish play for a chance at a CFP championship in 10 days from now.

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Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love is rooting to face this team in the College Football Playoff championship

Who do you want the Irish to face off against in the CFP championship?

With Notre Dame football being the first team to make the College Football Playoff championship game after defeating Penn State on Thursday night, they can now watch the other game to see who they will face.

Texas and Ohio State will battle for the other spot later tonight in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic. Both teams lost their last game prior to the CFP, then got hot and have reeled off two straight wins.

There is some intrigue with this contest and who Notre Dame should be rooting for. I think they should want the Longhorns to win, as they matchup best with them. Irish star running back Jeremiyah Love knows who he wants to see in the title game, it’s Ohio State as he told On3’s Andy Staples.

It’s pretty obvious why, as while the story is behind a paywall, the two teams played each other the previous two seasons. Notre Dame lost both of those games, and hasn’t beaten the Buckeyes since 1936, a rousing 7-2 win.

At this point, it really doesn’t matter who, as we know the Irish will be prepared and bring their best. Love knows who he’d like to see though.

Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) scores touch down in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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Is Jeremiyah Love playing today? Injury updates for Notre Dame running back

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is dealing with a knee injury. Here are the latest updates.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back [autotag]Jeremiyah Love[/autotag] hurt his knee against USC and then tweaked it against Georgia in Notre Dame’s 23-10 win over the Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal.

He has a brace on his knee, but Notre Dame head coach [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] has said he should be able to play against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Capital One Orange Bowl, which is a College Football Playoff semifinal matchup.

Jeremiyah Love injury update

Freeman said Love “had a good week of practice” before adding: “We have to be smart in terms of how much we’re asking him to do in practice. We’ve got to get him ready for the game. Nobody feels 100%, but J Love will be good to go.”

How long will Jeremiyah Love be out?

It appears Love will be able to play against Penn State, though he may be somewhat limited.

Notre Dame running back depth chart

If Love can’t go, or even if he’s available but is limited in terms of snaps, the Fighting Irish have a capable backup in [autotag]Jadarian Price[/autotag] — Price would be a starter on many teams.

[autotag]Aneyas Williams[/autotag] has made some nice plays in limited action, and [autotag]Devin Ford[/autotag] is listed behind him on the depth chart.

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Notre Dame drops its game trailer for College Football Playoff semifinals vs. Penn State

One more sleep!

In just over 24-hours, Notre Dame football will be back on the field to face off against the Penn State Nittany Lions for a spot in the College Football Playoff championship game.

The Irish last played for a title in 2013, and we all don’t want to recall what happened that night. There have been so many changes for Notre Dame since then, most notably the rise of head coach [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag].

There is so much excitement, and as they have done all season, the Irish social media team dropped its game trailer with another hip-hop jam as the background.

This time they used Rick Ross’ “Hustlin’” as the highlights of what has transpired over the last two games should get everyone excited for tomorrow night. Check out the video here, as we anxiously await Notre Dame facing Penn State.

Jan 2, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish players celebrate with fans in the stands after defeating the Georgia Bulldogs at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images

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Former Notre Dame star gets coaching gig

A Notre Dame alum comes home to Chicago to coach.

Former Notre Dame safety [autotag]Tom Zbikowski[/autotag] has been hired as the football coach at a Chicago high school.

Zbikowski, who also played in the NFL for the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens, will coach the Saint Patrick’s Shamrocks. St. Patrick’s is on the city’s northwest side.

“Returning to Chicago to coach at St. Patrick is a full-circle moment for me,” Zbikowski said in a statement. “I’m excited to bring a tough, disciplined mentality to the team and to build a program that the entire community can be proud of. I recognize that I’ve accomplished many things in life, but having the ability to impact a kid’s life is the most important of them all.”

Zbikowski worked as an assistant coach in the college ranks, coaching at Western Michigan and Brown.

The 39-year-old grew up near Chicago and attended Notre Dame from 2003-2007. In addition to playing safety, he returned punts and served as a team captain in 2006. He earned several second- and third-team All-American nods.

He also was a professional boxer, going undefeated in a career that stretched from 2006-2020.

Now he’s coming home to coach.

Punt returner Tom Zbikowski #9 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish carries the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers on Nov. 5, 2005 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. The Irish defeated the Vols 41-21. Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

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Notre Dame schedule: Is Notre Dame playing today?

Is Notre Dame playing today? Here’s a look at the schedule and the games to come.

Will the Notre Dame Fighting Irish be on the field today in the semifinal round of the College Football Playoff?

Following a 23-10 victory over the Georgia Bulldogs in the quarterfinal round of the College Football Playoff, Notre Dame will return to the field to face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7:30 EST in the Capital One Orange Bowl. This will be a semifinal matchup for the College Football Playoff.

Notre Dame has not played against Penn State since 2007, when the Nittany Lions won 31-10. The all-time series stands at 9-9-1. The winner of this game will move on to the national championship game in Atlanta on Jan. 20.

Notre Dame 2024 schedule

Aug. 31: at Texas A&M (W, 23-13)
Sept. 7: vs. Northern Illinois (L, 16-14)
Sept. 14: at Purdue (W, 66-7)
Sept. 21: vs. Miami (Ohio) (W, 28-3)
Sept. 28: vs. Louisville (W, 31-24)
Oct. 5: Bye
Oct. 12: vs. Stanford (W, 49-7)
Oct. 19: at Georgia Tech (game played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta) (W, 31-13)
Oct. 26: at Navy (game played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey) (W, 51-14)
Nov. 2: Bye
Nov. 9: vs. Florida St. (W, 52-3)
Nov. 16: vs. Virginia (W, 35-14)
Nov. 23: vs. No. 19 Army (game played at Yankee Stadium in New York City) (W, 49-14)
Nov. 30: at USC (W, 49-35)
Dec. 20: vs. Indiana (W, 27-17)
Jan. 2 (postponed): vs. Georgia (W, 23-10) (This was the Allstate Sugar Bowl, a CFP quarterfinal game, played at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans)
Record: 13-1

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Could Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden be heading back to the NFL?

This wouldn’t be great for the Irish

During [autotag]Al Golden[/autotag]’s coaching career, he has bounced back-and-forth between the NFL and the college ranks. His latest stop is with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

This is his second stint in South Bend, and there could be another reunion in the future for Golden. Cincinnati ESPN radio host Austin Elmore recently released a short list of candidates to fill the open defensive coordinator position for the Bengals. The Irish’s defensive leader was one of the four.

Golden was in Cincinnati prior to returning to the Irish, but as its linebackers coach. While he seems very content in his current position, the allure of the NFL is always there for most coaches.

You’d have to believe that if the Bengals want to pry Golden from Notre Dame, there would have to be a significant boost in pay. Hopefully, that doesn’t happen and he’s in South Bend for multiple more years after signing an extension this past offseason.

Oct. 12, 2024; South Bend, Indiana; Notre Dame Fighting Irish Defensive Coordinator Al Golden walks in to Notre Dame Stadium before the game against the Stanford Cardinal. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

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Urban Meyer recently complimented Marcus Freeman, and Notre Dame

The former Irish staffer knows a bit about football

Head coach [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] has guided Notre Dame football to a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals, and it has brought plenty of eyes to the program.

One of those knows South Bend fairly well, from 1996-2000, college football legend [autotag]Urban Meyer[/autotag] roamed the sidelines for the Irish as their wide receivers coach. His next stop, Bowling Green, was the start of his Hall of Fame head career, so it’s safe to say that he knows football.

Meyer recently discussed on The Triple Option podcast hosted by himself and others like Fox Sports Host Rob Stone, who was with him when the topic of Freeman and Notre Dame came up. He said that he “got a little choked up watching Notre Dame just put it to an SEC team that a few years ago you would never even thought that would happen.”

His emotions took over, which is the case for many of us. It was a win that was hard to see until recently, and hopefully, it’s just a glimpse of what’s to come.

Mar. 26, 2011; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly (right) chats with former Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer during practice at the Loftus Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

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This Notre Dame staffer gets honored for roster building

Notre Dame Fighting Irish assistant athletics director/general manager Chad Bowden gets an honor for his work on roster construction.

Notre Dame assistant athletic director/general manager [autotag]Chad Bowden[/autotag] has been named Football Scoop’s Player Personnel Director of the Year.

Bowden earns the honor for the way he has worked with head coach [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] and the rest of the coaching staff to build the Fighting Irish’s roster.

The publication cites Bowden’s ability to combine an old-school approach while also navigating the new(ish) waters of the transfer portal. Notre Dame has invested in Name, Image, and Likeness deals, too.

Whether recruiting from the high-school ranks or using the transfer portal — quarterback [autotag]Riley Leonard[/autotag] transferred in from Duke, as one example — the Irish have built a strong enough roster to compete deep into the College Football Playoff, and Bowden has had a big hand in that.

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