Riley Leonard made one heckuva comeback.
The Notre Dame quarterback knotted the Orange Bowl at 10 points apiece with a third-quarter touchdown against Penn State on Thursday night.
The score — a 3-yard run up the middle — came after Leonard left the first half early following a hard hit with 1:37 left.
Leonard was reportedly being checked for a concussion, leading to Steve Angeli taking over for the final drive of the half.
The backup connected on six of his seven throws for 44 yards, leading to the Irish getting their first points on the night on Mitch Jeter’s 41-yard field goal.
Leonard, however, took the reins once again when the second half kicked off and led Notre Dame on a nine-play, 80-yard drive.
The senior entered Thursday’s matchup with 2,383 yards 18 touchdowns and six interceptions — adding 843 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground — in 14 games for the Irish this season, his first in South Bend after three years with Duke.
The 22-year-old, once considered a potential first-round NFL draft prospect, has seen his stock rise again this season, though he likely slots in as a later-round pick now.
Showing off some toughness probably doesn’t hurt, either.
