MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Penn State’s reputation under head coach James Franklin has often been defined by missed opportunities, and their 27-24 loss to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Orange Bowl felt all too familiar. Despite moments of promise, the Nittany Lions once again fell short, unable to break through to the elite ranks of college football.The team led 10-0 late in the second quarter but missed key chances to extend their advantage
A defensive lapse allowed Notre Dame to recover a fumble and convert it into a field goal. Penn State’s offense, particularly the running game, faded in the second half, and a secondary breakdown allowed Notre Dame to tie the game late. The defining moment of the loss, however, came in the final minute. With the score tied at 24 and 33 seconds remaining, quarterback Drew Allar made a critical mistake. Scrambling to his left, he attempted a risky throw across his body toward receiver Omari Evans. The pass was intercepted by Notre Dame’s Christian Gray, setting up a game-winning field goal for the Irish.Penn State players and coaches supported Allar despite the error.
“We’ve got his back,” said tight end Tyler Warren. Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the team’s commitment to playing aggressively to win, even when it didn’t work out.A Season of Ups and Downs for AllarDrew Allar’s season had its highs and lows. While he showed growth in his second year as a starter, his performance in the playoffs highlighted areas for improvement. Against Notre Dame, Allar completed just 12 of 23 passes for 135 yards and struggled to connect on downfield throws. Notably, no Penn State wide receiver caught a single pass during the game.Head coach James Franklin acknowledged these struggles. “We had some contested balls we didn’t come down with,” he said. “That’s a big storyline of the game.”The loss has raised questions about Allar’s ability to lead the team to greater heights. Despite the setback, he remains determined to improve. In a recent statement, Allar reaffirmed his commitment to Penn State, saying, “There’s still more work to do.”Looking AheadFor Penn State, the challenge remains the same: breaking through the barriers that have held them back from national championship contention. Franklin believes Allar’s growth will be key. “His development from year one to year two was significant,” Franklin said. “He has a chance to take another step next year.”As the team looks to 2025, the lessons from this heartbreaking loss will serve as motivation. Linebacker Kobe King summed it up best: “All the success, we had together. All the failures, we learn from. It’s something to build on, to overcome.”