Late Mistakes From Penn State’s Allar, Franklin Sink Nittany Lions in Orange Bowl
Penn State’s chances at the national championship slipped away on Thursday as late mistakes from quarterback Drew Allar and questionable decisions from head coach James Franklin led to a 27-24 loss to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl. Allar finished with just 140 passing yards and one crucial interception in the loss.
The game was a defensive battle for most of the contest, with the score tied at 10-10 heading into the fourth quarter. However, Notre Dame gained an edge early in the final period with a 72-yard drive capped off by a Jeremiyah Love touchdown on the goal line. Penn State responded with a 75-yard drive and a seven-yard run from Nicholas Singleton, giving them a 24-17 lead.
The momentum soon shifted back to the Nittany Lions as Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard threw an interception, but a pass interference call gave Penn State another chance to score. They capitalized on the mistake, with Singleton finding the endzone again to make it 24-17.
The Nittany Lions’ lead was short-lived, as Notre Dame answered with a 54-yard touchdown pass from Leonard to Jaden Greathouse to tie the game. Both teams had empty drives, but Penn State had one last chance to win with less than a minute to play. Allar’s interception sealed the loss, and Notre Dame made the most of the opportunity with a 41-yard field goal from Mitch Jeter as time expired.
The loss has sparked criticism of Allar and Franklin, with many fans and analysts questioning their performance in crunch time. The Nittany Lions will now have a long offseason to figure out what they need to do to contend for a championship, while Notre Dame prepares to face either Ohio State or Texas in the national championship game.