Notre Dame star quarterback Riley Leonard returned in the third quarter of the Orange Bowl on Thursday after entering concussion protocol late the first half following a big hit. Leonard's brief absence injected some uncertainty for the 7-seed Fighting Irish in their College Football Playoff semifinal battle with 6-seed Penn State.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard was ushered off the field by officials after a possible concussion in the Orange Bowl against Penn State, but returned.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard left the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl late in the first half and was being evaluated by the Fighting Irish’s medical staff.

Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard suffered an injury vs. Penn State in College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl.

Notre Dame vs. Penn State in CFP Semifinal Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Follow along for live scoring updates

It's time for College Football Playoff Orange Bowl semifinal. Follow along for live score and game updates between Notre Dame vs Penn State:

Follow the action live as the Fighting Irish and Nittany Lions face off in south Florida with a spot in the College Football Playoff title game on the line.

Win and you’re in. No. 6 Penn State and No. 7 Notre Dame battle it out in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium for a spot in the National Championship Game. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jan. 9 on ESPN.

To find out the relationship history between Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard and his girlfriend, Molly Walding, you have to go all the way back to the mid-2010s to start. That's when they were in middle school together back in Alabama,