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 trails Penn State 10-3 at halftime of the Orange Bowl, with a spot in the National Championship Game against the winner of tomorrow night’s Texas-Ohio State game on the line. But the Fighting Irish might be without starting quarterback Riley Leonard for the rest of the game.

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.

Notre Dame star quarterback Riley Leonard exited the Orange Bowl late in the first half on Thursday night after taking a big hit as the Fighting Irish battle with Penn State in the College Football Playoff semifinal game.

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard was ushered off the field by officials after a possible concussion in the Orange Bowl against Penn State, but returned.

Notre Dame QB Riley Leonard was forced to briefly leave the Orange Bowl late in the second quarter after he was driven to the ground. Leonard got hit as he threw the ball and the back of his head hit the turf.

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 quarterback Riley Leonard exited the second quarter of the College Football Playoff Orange Bowl semifinal game against Penn State with an apparent he

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

Notre Dame faced an unexpected shake-up in their showdown against Penn State when quarterback Riley Leonard exited the game late in the second quarter. After t

Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard isn’t really anyone’s image of a quintessential dual-threat quarterback. The senior stands 6’4″, 216 pounds and can absolutely sling the ball from the pocket.