Jan 9, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrates a touch down in the second half against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Notre Dame star running back Jeremiyah Love is expected to be ready for Thursday's Orange Bowl game against 6-seed Penn State after practicing this week, Fighting Irish coach Marcus Freeman said Tuesday.

Jeremiyah Love could not be kept out of the end zone during Notre Dame’s Orange Bowl battle with Penn State on Thursday night, and gave an incredible effort to score a wild touchdown for the Fighting Irish. Love’s Herculean effort to get into the end zone early in the fourth quarter briefly gave Notre Dame their first lead of the game.

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love put as much effort into a two-yard run as you will ever see on Thursday night against Penn State. With the Orange Bowl tied 10–10 and a berth in the College Football Playoff national championship on the line, the Fighting Irish were driving and poised to take their first lead of the game.

A sophomore running back, Jeremiyah Love wore a knee brace during the portion of Notre Dame football practice on Jan. 5 that was open to the media.

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love has had a rushing touchdown in every game but one this season. His most recent touchdown for the Fighting Irish might be his toughest. Love, dealing with a knee injury that has him wearing a brace,

Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman expects running back Jeremiyah Love to play in Thursday's College Football Playoff semifinal game and the Fighting Irish ground game to be at full strength against sixth-seeded Penn State.

Jeremiyah Love breaks multiple tackles to give Notre Dame a 17-10 lead over Penn State.

With Notre Dame football being the first team to make the College Football Playoff championship game after defeating Penn State on Thursday night, they can now watch the other game to see who they will face.

Notre Dame football is not the most glamorous team in the country. They do not possess a high-powered passing attack. This program is defined by its toughness and physicality. Those traits were on full display during a crucial touchdown against Penn State in Thursday night’s 27-24 win in the College Football Playoff Semifinals.

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love is expected to play in the College Football Playoff Orange Bowl semifinal game against Penn State, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Love will wear a large brace on the knee that he injured last week and is expected to be at roughly 75 to 80 percent capacity with the ailment,