Why Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard briefly left the Orange Bowl against Penn State
Editor’s note: This story has been updated with more information.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard took a nasty hit during Thursday night’s College Football Playoff semifinal game at the Orange Bowl in Miami against Penn State, and it took him out of the game.
Leonard received treatment in the medical tent after taking the hit for a possible head injury, per ESPN.
At halftime, ESPN’s Molly McGrath asked Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman about Leonard’s status for the game’s second half.
“I haven’t heard,” Freeman said about Leonard’s health going into halftime. “They’re going to check him out right now.”
We’ll see what happens with Leonard as the game goes on, as his absence creates a massive void for the Fighting Irish on offense.
Riley Leonard went into the medical tent for a possible head injury after taking this hit late in the second quarter.
Leonard was replaced by backup QB Steve Angeli. pic.twitter.com/PAd4UtuNe3
— ESPN (@espn) January 10, 2025
As McGrath later reported just before the third quarter started, Leonard was evaluated for a concussion and was asymptomatic. He returned to the game in the second half.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.