Opponent, details set for Penn State football in College Football Playoff Semifinal matchup

After a 20-hour delay, Penn State football now knows its opponent for next week’s College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Orange Bowl.

The Nittany Lions will face the No. 7 seed Notre Dame, who defeated Georgia, 23-10, in the Sugar Bowl on Thursday evening. The final CFP Quarterfinal matchup was delayed from Wednesday night following the New Year’s Day terrorist attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans.

Despite some speculation that it may be moved to accommodate the Sugar Bowl’s postponement, next Thursday’s Orange Bowl will proceed as planned. On3’s Blue White Illustrated was the first to report on Thursday that the College Football Playoff is not adjusting the kickoff details for next week’s semifinal game. The Orange Bowl will kick off on January 9 at 7:30 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The game will air on ESPN.

“Honestly, I want to enjoy this Boise win and this Fiesta Bowl win for a couple hours,” James Franklin said when asked his initial impressions of the Nittany Lions’ two potential Orange Bowl opponents on Tuesday night.  “We’re going to enjoy the new year. We’re going to enjoy this win for a couple hours, and then, obviously, we’ll start to get a little bit of a head start on these teams.

“But obviously, two great programs. Won a bunch of games. History, tradition, talent, coaching. At this point in the season, you’re going to play really good people, and we’re excited about that opportunity.

“But tonight, we want to enjoy this for a couple of hours. There will be plenty of time and hours to get focused on those next opponents.”

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