Penn State All-America defensive end Abdul Carter has taken the field as a starter for Thursday night’s College Football Playoff semifinal against Notre Dame at the Orange Bowl, after days of speculation about whether he would be available.

Penn State meets Notre Dame tonight in the Orange Bowl for a place in the College Football Playoff national championship game.

Star Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter is available for the Orange Bowl against Notre Dame, according to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Thamel said Carter will play situationally and be at “about 85 percent.