Penn State's Allar owns late INT in Orange Bowl loss to Notre Dame
Penn State's pursuit of a national championship came to an end after losing 27-24 to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night.
The Nittany Lions appeared to have an opportunity to drive for a last-minute, game-winning score. Quarterback Drew Allar attempted a pass in the middle of the team's 42-yard line that was picked off by Notre Dame's Christian Gray with 33 seconds remaining in regulation. The Fighting Irish then advanced the ball to help set up a the game-winning 41-yard field goal by Mitch Jeter to move on to the title game.
"I was going through my progression. Just trying to (throw) it at his feet," Allar explained postgame, according to Yahoo Sports' Ross Dellenger. "Should have thrown it away. Didn't execute what I was trying to do. ... I'll do everything in my power to grow from it."
Allar added: "I just got to learn from it and move on and take it on the chin right now."
While Penn State's junior passer shouldered the blame, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki defended his QB.
"He's going to put that on himself, and he shouldn't have to," Kotelnicki said, according to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg. "I've got to be better for him and our offense, so whatever we're doing, whatever we're calling, that our people have a chance to separate and put him in a position where he can feel more comfortable. I simply say to him, 'It ain't on you.'"
Thursday night was an uneven performance from Allar. He completed 12 of 23 passes for 135 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Penn State's signal-caller did not complete a pass to a wide receiver all game. Tight end Tyler Warren finished as the team's leading receiving with six catches for 75 yards.
Head coach James Franklin lamented his team's third-down discrepancy after Penn State converted three of their 11 third-down opportunities. After jumping to a 10-0 lead in the second quarter, the Fighting Irish scored 17 points before Nicholas Singleton scored two of his three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
The Nittany Lions head coach was proud of his players despite the final result not being in their favor.
"I love every person in that locker room. Played our tails off tonight," Franklin said postgame.
Penn State ends its season at 13-3, including wins against SMU and Boise State in the first two rounds of the CFP.