Products You May Like
Leading 24-17 with under five minutes left in regulation, it appeared the Penn State Nittany Lions were on the doorstep of reaching its first national championship in the College Football Playoff era.
Minutes later, it was all over. After the Fighting Irish tied the game on a Jaden Greathouse touchdown pass from Riley Leonard, it was the beginning of the end for James Franklin. A Christian Gray interception off quarterback Drew Allar with 33 seconds left led to an eventual game-winning field goal from Mitch Jeter to end the possibility of an all-Big Ten title game in Atlanta, Ga.
Before the collapse, ESPN’s Greg McElroy tried to uplift Allar for a would-be game-winning drive.
It lasted two plays.
“I’m aggressive… For the most part, all season long, his whole career,” McElroy said on the TV broadcast. “Drew Allar has made good decisions. He’s got 50+ touchdowns, only nine career interceptions. It’s not likely a guy that’s gonna put the ball in harm’s way. I trust him… I would empower him. “
Allar said he regretted the loss and wished to have his final pass redone.
“I should’ve just thrown it away. … Didn’t execute what I was trying to do,” Allar told reporters.
Penn State’s season ends following lofty expectations in an expanded conference. The Nittany Lions will have to regroup for next season, assuming with Allar, and will likely have to keep answering questions about what could have been.
Meanwhile, Notre Dame has a chance to win its first national title since 1988 as it awaits the winner of the Cotton Bowl between Texas and Ohio State.
Allar finished the night 12-for-23 for 136 yards and a touchdown, as he was out-dueled by Leonard’s 223 yards and two touchdowns (one rushing)..
Franklin said Allar will handle the loss with a “first-class approach” moving forward, but it remains to be seen.