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Notre Dame Kicker Received Epic Nickname After Making Game-Winning Field Goal

Originally posted on The Spun | By Hunter Hodies | Last updated Jan 10, 2025 10:49 AM ET

Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter was the hero for his team on Thursday when he kicked the game-winning field goal in the final seconds of the Orange Bowl.

Jeter hit the game-winning kick over Penn State to send Notre Dame to its first National Championship Game since 2013 when Notre Dame played Alabama. It was for the 2012 season national title.

Notre Dame players, including quarterback Steve Angeli, are now calling Jeter "Mr. January" because of how clutch he's been during the College Football Playoff. He hit the game-winner on Thursday and has made seven of eight field goals in the CFP.

Steve Angeli said Notre Dame players are calling kicker Mitch Jeter “Mr. January.”

Jeter is 7 of 8 on field goal attempts in the College Football Playoff, including tonight’s 41-yard game winner in the Orange Bowl. pic.twitter.com/PhZYXJmAp6
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) January 10, 2025

His leg has been a major asset for the Irish and they'll need it for the title game against one of the Ohio State Buckeyes or the Texas Longhorns. The Buckeyes and Longhorns will play each other in the Cotton Bowl on Friday before the National Championship Game takes place on January 20.

Jeter had the chance to kick the game-winner because the Irish's defense got a big interception off Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar late in regulation. The Irish offense then did enough to get into field goal range so Jeter could kick the 41-yard game-winner.

The Nittany Lions had time for two offensive plays at the end of the game but they didn't go anywhere, giving the Irish the win.

The Irish came into the playoff field as the seventh seed but are only one win away from a national title. This wouldn't have been possible without the expanded field since the CFP was limited to only four teams before adding eight more starting this season.

Kickoff for Friday's Cotton Bowl, which will determine who plays the Irish on January 20, will be at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit will have the call.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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