Drew Allar Reflects on Heartbreaking Loss to Notre Dame.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — In a nail-biting College Football Playoff semifinal, the No. 6 seed Penn State Nittany Lions fell to the No. 7 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 27-24, in a game that showcased both teams’ defensive prowess and left Penn State’s quarterback Drew Allar visibly emotional.
The game, held at Hard Rock Stadium, saw Penn State take a late lead after trailing for much of the match. However, with just 47 seconds remaining and the score tied at 24-24, Allar’s attempt to connect with wide receiver Omari Evans resulted in a critical interception by Notre Dame’s Christian Gray. This turnover set up a decisive 41-yard field goal by Mitch Jeter with only seven seconds left on the clock, sealing the victory for the Irish.
Drew Allah’s Regret
In the aftermath of the game, Drew Allar expressed deep regret over his late-game decision-making. “I should have just thrown it away when I felt the first two progressions not open,” he stated, reflecting on his misfire that led to the interception. Despite completing 71.6% of his passes during the regular season, Drew Allar struggled against Notre Dame’s formidable defense, finishing with just 135 yards on 12 completions out of 23 attempts.
Game Highlights
Penn State initially responded well after falling behind 17-0, scoring 14 unanswered points to take a brief lead in the fourth quarter. The Nittany Lions’ defense was notable, recording eight tackles for loss and five sacks against Notre Dame’s quarterback Riley Leonard. Zakee Wheatley stood out with 16 total tackles and an interception.
Despite their efforts, Penn State’s inability to convert on third downs proved costly. The Nittany Lions managed only three successful conversions out of eleven attempts. Coach James Franklin highlighted these struggles as pivotal in determining the game’s outcome.
Looking Ahead
Drew Allar’s performance throughout the season has been a mix of highs and lows. After announcing his intention to return for the 2025 season rather than enter the NFL draft, he remains committed to improving his game. “I didn’t win the game, so it wasn’t good enough,” he remarked post-game, emphasizing his desire to learn from this experience.
As Penn State reflects on this heart-wrenching loss, they will look to build on their successes from this season while addressing areas for improvement ahead of next year.
