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

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.

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

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 football players and staff are dealing with a minor viral flu outbreak ahead of the team’s appearance against Penn State in the College Football Play

The Fighting Irish quarterback will play no further part in tonight's Orange Bowl contest at the Hard Rock Stadium as Marcus Freeman is forced into a drastic change