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Postgame Embrace Between Notre Dame HC Marcus Freeman, QB Riley Leonard Turns Heads

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nathan Dougherty | Last updated Jan 9, 2025 11:48 PM ET

After a thrilling win over Penn State to reach the National Championship, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and quarterback Riley Leonard shared an emotional moment on the field.

The pair met on the field after Notre Dame won 27-24 on a late field goal from Mitch Jeter. The Fighting Irish erased an early 10-point deficit and trailed by seven points in the fourth quarter before a touchdown pass from Leonard tied the game and a late interception set up the 41-yard, game-winning kick.

Notre Dame now advances to the College Football Playoff National Championship game and will face the winner of the Cotton Bowl between Texas and Ohio State.

After the win, Freeman and Leonard shared an embrace on the field, with the Notre Dame coach giving some words to his quarterback.

What do you think was said between Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman and QB Riley Leonard in this moment? pic.twitter.com/HWnAfVs9Q6
— Kyle Kelly (@ByKyleKelly) January 10, 2025

At one point in Thursday's game, it was unclear if Leonard would finish the game. The Notre Dame quarterback took a big hit before the two-minute timeout in the second quarter, being taken to the medical tent for evaluation.

Backup quarterback Steve Angeli came in to replace Leonard and led the Irish on a field-goal drive to get their first points on the board, trailing 10-3 at that point.

Freeman said at halftime that he was not sure if Leonard would be able to return.

“They’re going to check him out right now,” Freeman told ESPN’s Molly McGrath in an interview on the field. “They just told me right before the field goal, they don’t have an answer right now, what it’s gonna be.”

Leonard was able to come back after halftime, ultimately completing 15 of 23 passes for 223 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He added another 18 rushes for 35 yards and a rushing touchdown, earning MVP honors.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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