Riley Leonard took a big hit and got a big scare. He wound up ending the night with the biggest win of his college career — and now, a chance at a national championship.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) throws oranges to his teammates after winning the Orange Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against Penn State, Thursday in Miami Gardens, Fla. Leonard grew up in Fairhope. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) AP

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish extended their fine form of the ongoing season in the recently concluded Orange Bowl, registering a win by a narrow margin against the Penn State Nittany Lions. However,