'It doesn't even feel real' - Riley Leonard reacts to making the National Championship | ESPN CFB

Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman reacts to their nail-biting victory over the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Orange Bowl. Then, Fighting Irish QB Riley Leonard talks on the emotions surrounding making the College Football Playoff National Championship.
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[@AlexM-ry7ih]

From losing to NIU to going to the natty. Now that's what I call character growth

[@kdub6898]

unreal

[@chenkov3967]

PSU refs not enough lololol

[@MrDayday4641]

@@chenkov3967 Bro! They were acting like they were alumni! That last pi was crazy!

[@NorthIce22]

Exactly how I felt about us after that game to after this game is night and day..Go Irish 🍀

[@DexterHaven]

Northern Illinois is the only team that could beat Notre Dame in the finals.

[@ghostme1635]

Riley giving Jesus a shoutout. Love it. I'm a fan of this kid.. he is a winner in clutch time

[@terrymaycbc]

Giving God the Glory. RESPECT!

[@sebastiannegrete1554]

Hey. Shut up.

[@kristofferskau6979]

Takes a special kind of narcisist to think God cares about the outcome of a football game

[@terrymaycbc]

@@kristofferskau6979 Takes a special kind of narcissist to think that ANYBODY cares about your reply!

[@ther5650]

​@@kristofferskau6979 ???

[@angiew2324]

I agree! It's wonderful to hear young people speak publicly about their love of Jesus! And of course God cares, He cares about His children & wants to help them succeed & share His Word. Sometimes that's through football, sometimes it's through preaching - BOTH can show the glory of God & lead people to His Son.

[@alexblake5743]

Congratulations to Notre Dame.

[@WilliamWaldrop-x9w]

Hes a real man n coach I hope they win it all

[@gato6100]

After hearing Riley Leonard interview with Erin I had him all wrong, yeah hes not the best but his attitude speaks volumes of his integrity, what a humble down to earth kid and thankful person

[@DallasMorrow21]

He’s a great kid. From a passing perspective, he’s no Joe Burrow. But he’s a gamer. He finds a way to make plays when the team needs it most. Everyone criticizes him, but when the game is on the line, you want the ball in his hands

[@khaitran3709]

I love this Norte dame team..please finished what you started..this is a true team player where they pick each up together you are stronger!!! And this team has all the tool to get the job done!!

[@thebrotherhood6391]

Been watching Riley Leonard since he committed to Duke and the young man never gives up, he always gives everything he has. Duke fans are still behind you Riley, you and R.J go get that National Championship buddy

[@Sweethandsome01]

I love this young coach. He's an inspiration, humble, smart, doesn't take him long to choose his words and he chooses them wisely. Great young man. Not a N.D. fan, my girlfriend and my friend are so I was definitely rooting for them. My friend has a big mouth though he won't let you live it down, but when N.D. loses there's off the grid radio silence. Lol!

[@gaypreator8547]

Haters at a loss 🦗🦗🦗🦗’s - 👍👍 ND played to win. Never gave up.

[@smoovkilla]

i will be surprised if I don't see him coaching in the nfl a few years from now and doing great too

[@tigerhoods7927]

Notre Dame is headed to the CFB National Championship! Brian Kelly is somewhere with the Arthur fist right now

[@johnbrowne2170]

So glad Kelly isn't around these winners.

[@treyjohnson23]

Thanks I didn’t know that…..

[@racasm]

@TreyJohnson23 He's not trying to tell people, he is just saying. Nobody thinks you're cool or funny, get off this platform.

[@okieclipper5783]

Brian Kelly is known for lifting up his guys. Look up Brian Kelly scissor lift to know more.

[@tylerfedrizzi7871]

Brian Kelly is somewhere trying to talk like he's from the south and barely winning any football games at a school he thought he could win at.. GO IRISH

[@andrewsmith3257]

Unbelievable! Im an Ohio State fan and the way Notre Dame has been playing they're going to be hard to beat

[@jaredrace4599]

Yeah I hope we meet up guys there cause got big respect for OSU after losing to yall last year in a crazy game.. yall are probly the scariest team in the playoffs so it'll be good

[@molon___labe]

lol dont overlook Texas! Got to win first before we can meet for a natty

[@jimp2]

$20m roster vs a school that has a gpa standard for athletes 😭

[@alohagamingbros]

This coach Freeman is truly an amazing man and leader for Notre Dame.

[@8avexp]

Marcus the Magician. ND is incredibly lucky to have him.

[@mikelathrop6584]

A game for the ages

[@IrishRaiderLarryMullinsJr]

God is Good, CHEER CHEER FOR OL NOTRE DAME, man they all Played like CHAMPIONS TODAY ❤

[@sbickham67]

LSU fan here and I’m absolutely happy for ND and their program! I’m not of fan of BK and this puts immense pressure on him! Now go finish the job ND.

[@BasedOpinionsPodcast]

Your problem now my guy hahah na I appreciate the kind words and Kelly did do a lot winning at nd I think it would be wrong to not give him grace for that. But never the big one and in his minds is was never on him and the rubs me the wrong way. Cause his assistant just got 3 times the wins he’s ever got in the playoffs in a month. LSU is gonna be fine tho whatever happens way to big of a name and stories a tradition for Brian Kelly to tear down and that my good friend we have in common. Happy new year from your friends in south bend

[@stalebread5887]

Kelly left the program better than he found it. But he never had them ready in big games. Freeman has that DAWG mentality.

[@jacerisner2577]

I love freeman as a coach and person

[@gregnote771]

Notre Dame's backup did a solid job in Q2.

[@psallen5099]

Angeli was the angle that came into game and put some spark into the team

[@8avexp]

Reminds me of Terry Hanratty and Coley O'Brien in 1966-67. O'Brien could step in without missing a beat. Ditto in '68 when Joe Theismann stepped in for Hanratty. Seamless transition.

[@Zuki-1866]

Great game I was rooting for Notre Dame after Pen State beat my team, good game

[@fjr70ify]

It felt like the game was an hour long. Went by real fast.

[@spg5658]

True

[@Maze86753]

Time flies when you’re having fun, eh?

[@evocativ]

and dude actually threw the ball well this game, props to him

[@jamerous58gilliam]

2:13 🙏🏾 Amen Riley

[@irishcubs01]

I love the Jesus recognition. Don't be afraid 🙂

[@sm-sf1mp]

These guys are a truly special team....Ive never seen this kind of dynamic and heart that they bring to the table every game..they are truly a cohesive unit that trusts and believes in themselves and each other.

[@Panzernator]

Onward to victory!

[@ChristIsLord7]

Ave Maria! Go Irish! ☘️

[@jeepduder]

Jesus blessed indeed! Go Irish! ☘

[@tigerhoods7927]

It’s the James Franklin special. Dominate the first half and get outcoached in the second half

[@MrDayday4641]

@tigerhoods7927 the good ol' 10-3 domination. They played well. Dominate feels like a stretch.

[@SpecialAgentEBunny]

He would be a perfect fit to coach my Raiders. A terrible second half coach would fit right in

[@jamesodell9382]

UGA fan here pulling for Notre Dame all the way.

[@Cmdr_Exo]

Had a dream Penn State was advancing to the natty. Felt like a nightmare I’m glad it wasn’t real.🙏

[@michaelcacioppo8221]

Riley u r awesome!!! Your heavenly father and your savior Jesus christ loves u so much! God bless u and your family. I hope to meet u some day. I'm a retired army veteran in Connecticut.

[@SteveMeade-mq6mv]

Jesus Bless, he is 100% correct.

[@8avexp]

Amen!

[@gcnd9031]

GOD COUNTRY NOTRE DAME

[@supergamer7473]

What a game! I'm rooting for a great Game on Jan. 20th!

[@NDTexan]

I was a Riley Leonard at doubter early on and he certainly doesn't light up the scoreboard or always just look clean and smooth. But the man is just a gamer and seems to find a way. All the props in the world to Christian Gray. Dude has just been clutch down the stretch

[@tuberhubris4154]

That final kick, that was going to the right and, somehow, it starts veering left to make it through the goalposts. ND had some extra help, indeed.

[@8avexp]

If only Joe Azzaro's game-winning attempt against Michigan St. in 1966 hadn't veered off to the right...

[@alohagamingbros]

that was one helluva football game. Go Irish!!! Wear Green and God is love

[@smoovkilla]

this dude made me a fan of notre dame. definitely will see freeman coaching a super bowl caliber team in a few years

[@kevinelevensulaco6855]

Beautiful just Beautiful

[@bambang303378]

Alabama recruited star QB from Texas and did not bother with this Leonard. Well Alabama is home now and Notre Dame is going to play in the national championship.

[@JJG86]

The Notre Dame quarterback is a tough kid.

[@Kyle11011]

GO IRISH !!! ☘️

[@AndrewJordan-u4m]

Is this the Cinderella story though can notre dame finally win a natty well I hope so

[@8avexp]

They've won four during my time on this earth and I remember them all. A fifth (and 12th overall) is long overdue.

[@AndrewJordan-u4m]

@8avexp dang man are you like what 70?

[@8avexp]

@@AndrewJordan-u4m I was born the year Paul Horning won the Heisman Trophy - in South Bend, no less!

[@AsJonnySee]

LETS GOOOOOO!

[@kalisioliveti5388]

Jesus blessed ❤

[@Irishhaf]

Dude is just a competitor, hard to not like him... yea not the most polished thrower, but he is willing to do anything to help the team win.

[@padraiglocke8844]

Up The Irish ☘️, Up The Catholics, this team is special in Tight games!!! Great composure!!!

[@kevinclick9026]

I love you 2

[@BrianKahugu]

Confessing Jesus and Trusting Him all through it's Amazing. God bless you Leonard and Jesus Christ is the Saviour the Way the Truth and The Life

[@drumwolf100]

I like Riley. I guess Jesus is not a fan of Penn St.

[@lukebutkus3]

"Jesus whatever your will is for my life, I trust it 100%". He even makes sure to mention Jesus before he leaves, Jesus is so much bigger than football or anything that any of us are doing here. Follow Jesus, read the bible, chase God, let the scripture speak to you, whatever his will is for our life is so much greater than our own.

[@karstendejong9970]

Hes a brave guy i love it

[@jakerojas4756]

Jesus' will is for you to be his slave for 1k years cleaning up earth. Then you can reach perfection and be his fellow brother.

[@FredJohnson-o3s]

NOTRE DAME 12th WIN IN A ROW 👍🏻🤯👍🏻🤯👍🏻

[@racasm]

Pretty sure it's 13th? Maybe I'm wrong.

[@FredJohnson-o3s]

@racasm you may be right but that's an impressive run👍🏻🤝🏼💯

[@8avexp]

@@racasm Yep, it's lucky 13 in a row.

[@racasm]

@@8avexp Let's make it 14, all the odds are against ND, but the coach, Marcus is 10x better coach than ryan. May the best team wi,n.

[@MarvinHawkinsthedisciple]

the Lord loves you

[@BibleCars]

Jesus loves yall turn to him ❤

[@dorianorossi]

Amen - believe in Jesus - everyone else is sinking sand! ✝️🙏❤️

[@michaelmunro8147]

Amen 🙏

[@justinsullivan5839]

He ain’t real

[@BibleCars]

@@justinsullivan5839 he is

[@robertmog4336]

​​@@justinsullivan5839 Jesus IS real, and you WILL meet him one day. As His friend, or as His enemy. And His Judgment is final. Hallelujah 🙌!

[@kellyfox4368]

Amen

[@Shëa-Dolan]

we’re winning it all thïs year. jesus says so❤

[@mzheather4u]

God Bless Coach Freeman & Riley Leonard!! ☘️🏈 Philippians 4:13

[@officialtoastyy]

Molly is a national treasure

[@MeJamesah]

Stop being a simp. You act like you've never seen a attractive woman before.

[@MeJamesah]

Stop being a simp

[@Jeremy-oj5fm]

Trust in our lord jesus baby lets go irish

[@sebastiannegrete1554]

I trust you will loose the natty

[@gagehanks7992]

Hey James Franklin wanna know why we independent? Bc we ND and y’all ain’t!!! Go Irish! ☘️ ☘️☘️

[@teresadunbar7]

Because nd is shown unfair deference…continue to celebrate your special treatment

[@annazepeda4183]

Actually it’s because of coaches being anti-catholic. ND tried to join the conference that now is the big 10 but the head coach at Michigan didn’t want them because he hated Catholics and convinced the conference to not let them join.

[@MrDayday4641]

​​@@teresadunbar7special treatment? 😂 They can't have a top 4 seed no matter how well they play (they were 3rd in the AP poll and the coaches poll). They got dropped a spot after winning by 42! They got dropped two spots after a bye week! That's special treatment?!? They beat the #2, 6, 10, 15, 19, 20, and 23 teams to get to the National title game. 7-0 against ranked teams. That's special treatment?!? Sit down, hater!

[@tylerfedrizzi7871]

​@@teresadunbar7keep crying. They're literally at a disadvantage not being in a conference. GO IRISH

[@JJG86]

@@teresadunbar7What special treatment?

[@2kslimey]

Christ is Risen!! ☦️

[@deadfairfield]

My Digorno Crust has risen

[@2kslimey]

@ Blasphemy, repent.

[@sebastiannegrete1554]

When did he rise, no one posted about it?

[@dpellek74]

Espn. Always has to make it about race. The man is a fantastic coach. Period.

[@HannahO1289]

I was homeless, did drugs, went into prison, where I got to know God. He changed my life. Now I have a home, a Husband and a lovely daughter (Jessica), and a stream of income that gets me $44,000 Every month. Plus a new identity a child of God. Hallelujah!!!

[@MichealJack-r3o]

Excuse me for real?, how is that possible I have struggling financially, how was that possible?

[@IdenLuke555]

The thought of knowing a change is coming just leaves that glimpse of hope. Thank you for this

[@Richardcory3963]

Kindly let me know more bout this bimonthly thing you just mentioned Please...

[@HannahO1289]

It is the digital market. That's been the secret to this wealth transfer. A lot of folks in the US amd abroad are getting so much from it, God has been good to my household Thank you Jesus

[@HannahO1289]

Big thanks to Mrs Sandra Maria Ferraguti ❤️❤️❤️

[@thomasj.fulnecky4547]

Amen Riley Jesus allowed you guys to win. I prayed for you guys to win your Football game God's will be Done Thank you Jesus.

[@paigeholt5830]

Yes! Always give God the glory

[@theyfwsliimee2130]

DAME TIME TA THEEE NATTY 🥹🥹🥹

[@stanleyfontaine25]

Keep in mind, Riley Leonard was a top basketball recruit. Goes to show you how easy playing football is compared to basketball.

[@Hiswillbedonebyme]

Amen kid. No fear in proclaiming faith in the Lord

[@MarvinHawkinsthedisciple]

God is love john 3:16

[@JasonDaniel-y1h]

🤘🤘🤘

[@tarawright8152]

YaY ✨ 📣

[@Stevenguilkey]

Lets go Texas. Beat Ohio state. Go Irish!!!!!!

[@62jape]

Dudes concussed af. 😂

[@silversoulken]

Absolutely 😭😭

[@DexterHaven]

14-1!! Suck on that Brian Kelly! (the ex-coach of ND who left for LSU who didn't make the playoffs this year)

[@michaelkrugh915]

I would like to thank Brian Kelly for leaving and taking Tommy with you.

[@Hajiere]

Jesus for sureeee

[@DamagedNotDefeated1]

GOD loves u most dont LOSE him believing in manly folklore👍💯

[@sebastiannegrete1554]

Shut up

[@johnsutton9939]

Jesus blessed!

[@sheeesh6246]

who’s the 2nd interviewer?

[@xHunterXIV]

Katie George

[@bayouboy2921]

God works wonders… This a proof to keep faith.

[@Astronaut1776]

God cares about a football game but not all the people suffering?

[@gregz1235]

The backup qb played better. Had he played the whole game, they beat PSU by a bigger margin. It's a W nonetheless

[@AndrewLykins44]

Christ is King!

[@dannyjankens3333]

Jesus blessed 😇

[@JesusSaves3-16]

👍

[@mikev8746]

2:28 something going on between these two or am I just tripping 😂

[@angiew2324]

I love that so many young people these days aren't afraid to publicly proclaim Jesus is Lord! I don't think I've ever seen it happen as often as it does now, not even back when I was a kid & most people were Christians.

[@kennethbonura1]

"Bet you're glad you could transfer from Duke lol"

[@MarvinHawkinsthedisciple]

JESUS is lord of lord

[@King.MaidenHeaven]

he was chosen to do the interview, because JESUS knew he would be the one to speak about him

[@sharonrose50]

Life was never meant to be lived without God.

[@IamBuffal0]

2:17

[@djcoinz]

When the coach talks he reminds me of Obama 😂 almost identical

[@StS9LBJ23]

Christ is KING!

[@MarvinHawkinsthedisciple]

JESUS saves

[@EncouragementfortheDay]

Jesus is Lord! Keep being bold for Jesus!

[@gaypreator8547]

ND way to stay in the game - play ball.

[@LarryHopkins-k1f]

Sterling

[@michaelmcaleer2016]

Praise Jesus

[@MarvinHawkinsthedisciple]

JESUS took your punishment pray repentance is import change he will help you

[@Zachdennis21]

Wow what a dog fight of a game! Now they will really have to bring A game against Texas or Ohio

[@roadrules3671]

Reporter could barely contain her look of Disgust when ND's Quarterback started to praise Jesus Christ. Just an Observation.

[@briandrake6660]

Jesus is King