Drew Allar, the quarterback for Penn State, faced a tough moment as he realized the weight of his recent mistake in the College Football Playoff semifinal. After throwing a late interception that allowed Notre Dame to take possession and ultimately win the Orange Bowl 27-24, Allar was visibly affected, placing his hands on his head in frustration.
The interception came at a critical time, with just 33 seconds left on the clock and the game tied. Allar, who had performed impressively throughout the season with 24 touchdown passes against only seven interceptions, misfired on what he intended to be a safe throw to his teammate, Omari Evans. Instead, it was caught by Notre Dame’s Christian Gray, leading to the Irish advancing into scoring range. Kicker Mitch Jeter then booted a 41-yard field goal that secured Notre Dame’s victory and sent them to the national title game.
Reflecting on the game, Allar expressed regret over his decision-making, admitting he should have thrown the ball away when his primary targets were covered. Despite his disappointment, he acknowledged the challenge of the game and committed to learning from the experience.
Even though the interception was a defining moment, the game itself was a back-and-forth contest. In the first half, Allar struggled to connect with his receivers, and Penn State was fortunate to lead 10-3. Ultimately, he finished with 135 yards on 12-of-23 passing without scoring a touchdown, a stark contrast to his previous quarterfinal performance where he achieved 171 yards and three touchdowns.
Running back Nicholas Singleton contributed significantly, with three rushing touchdowns, including one that gave Penn State a brief 24-17 lead late in the game. Allar, while focused on his mistakes, expressed the importance of growing from this setback.
His teammates, however, stood by him. Defensive tackle D’Von J-Thomas highlighted Allar’s contributions throughout the season and emphasized that one play should not overshadow the overall effort and successes of the team. He expressed gratitude for Allar’s role in getting them to the Orange Bowl.
Looking ahead, Allar is considered by many as a potential first-round draft pick if he decides to pursue a career in the NFL. Yet, he hinted on social media about a possible return for his senior season, focusing on the memories yet to be made with his teammates.
This past season, Allar proved to be a reliable figure in Penn State’s run-focused offense, completing over 68% of his passes for more than 3,300 yards and leading the Nittany Lions to a 13-2 record prior to the Orange Bowl. Coach James Franklin reminded everyone that many plays could have influenced the game’s outcome, indicating that it wasn’t solely on Allar’s shoulders.
In spite of the disappointment, it’s clear that the journey continues for Allar and the Nittany Lions, highlighting the resilience that’s often necessary in the sport of football.
