Costly Interception Decides an Orange Bowl Classic

© Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Sometimes the best thing to do is live to play another down. That’s the harsh lesson that Penn State’s quarterback Drew Allar learned in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Jan. 9 in Miami Gardens, Fla. as Notre Dame beat the Nittany Lions to advance to the College Football National Championship game with a 27-24 win thanks to a late interception to set up a game-winning field goal by Irish kicker Mitch Jeter with 26 second left.

The No. 6 seed Penn State Nittany Lion’s (13-3) gritty defense got their quarterback the ball back with the game tied at 24, with 38 seconds left and at their own 15-yard-line. After a 13-yard running play by Nicholas Singleton, the confidence was there for the Nittany Lions to win the game at the end of regulation. Unfortunately, Allar tried making a throw to wide receiver Omari Evans, a throw that would cost them their season after it ended up in the hands of Notre Dame’s Christian Gray at the Penn State 42-yard-line.

“Honestly I was trying to throw (the ball) at his feet,” Allar said after the game. “I should’ve thrown it away when I saw the first two options weren’t open.”

Irish Advance

The No. 7 seed Fighting Irish (14-1) moved 19 yards to get Jeter in position to hit the go-ahead field goal. For a brief moment, it looked like the ball could bend wide right, but broke back left to win the game for the Irish and advance to the College Football National Championship game. 

Tough Day at the Office

It was not a banner day for Allar, with growing expectations that the third-year quarterback might declare for the 2025 NFL Draft, there was more pressure put on him than just winning the Orange Bowl. Unfortunately, he may have to wait another year to get the same national attention he had this past week. Allar threw for just 135 yards and completed 52 percent of his passes (12-of-23), zero touchdowns and 1 interception. He also had two picks that would be called back due to defensive holding and pass interference. 

Riley Leonard in Rhythm

However, the night's surprise for Notre Dame came when they became a pass-first team. Toward the end of the first half Notre Dame trailed Penn State 10-0 when quarterback Riley Leonard exited after being sacked and hit his head hard on the Hard Rock Cafe turf. In stepped back-up quarterback Steve Angeli. Angeli would throw for 44 yards on the drive and completed 6-of-7 passes to get the Irish in field goal range and make it a one-score game. Suddenly, in the second half the team known for its dynamic run style, Leonard came back in for the second half and threw for 160 passing yards, and one very big touchdown to Jaden Greathouse to tie the game at 24.

For Notre Dame, it’s a trip to the National Championship game on Jan. 20 in Atlanta against either Ohio State or Texas, who will play in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl on Jan. 10 in Arlington, Texas.

As for the Nittany Lions, they’ll have their first game next year on Aug. 30 at home against the Nevada Wolfpack.