Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has been hampered by a knee injury since the regular-season finale against the USC Trojans. He even wore a brace during Notre Dame’s 27-24 win over Penn State in the Capital One Orange Bowl — the victory that sent the Fighting Irish to the national championship game against Ohio State.

Mitch Jeter hit a go-ahead 41-yard field goal with seven seconds left, which was set up by a Christian Gray interception at the Penn State 42-yard line with 33 seconds left to play.

No. 7 seed Notre Dame is entering their matchup on Monday night against No. 8 Ohio State shorthanded in the trenches on both sides of the ball. The Fighting Irish lost the best player on their defensive line,

The one common denominator between the Irish teams that lost to Ohio State in the past two seasons was quarterback play. It wasn't Leonard then. but it's Leonard now.

Riley Leonard needed a new team. Notre Dame needed a new quarterback. It was the perfect match — and a mutually beneficial partnership as Leonard led the Fighting Irish to the National Championship Game in his lone season in South Bend.

Megan Briggs/Getty Images Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard argued this year's national championship game is the work of some divine intervention. Leonard, 22, and the Fighting Irish will face The Ohio State University in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday,