Notre Dame’s Orange Bowl hopes have taken a significant hit with a series of unfortunate injuries, further compounding their challenges against Penn State. The Fighting Irish were already dealing with multiple injuries along their offensive line, a critical area for protecting quarterback Riley Leonard and establishing the run game. The situation worsened when Leonard himself was seen heading to the injury tent in the second quarter.
Leonard’s departure is a major blow to Notre Dame’s offense, as he is a key dual-threat player capable of making plays with both his arm and legs. His absence puts additional pressure on backup quarterback Steve Angeli, who will need to step up in a high-pressure environment.
The injuries have disrupted Notre Dame’s rhythm and could be a turning point in the game. Penn State’s defense, already performing at a high level, will look to capitalize on the situation, increasing their efforts to maintain their lead and secure a victory.
