MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Penn State football played a rollicking, back-and-forth College Football Playoff semifinal on both sides of the ball.
But the Nittany Lions gave up just one more heavyweight punch than they could handle at the end of Thursday night’s heartbreaking defeat in this Orange Bowl in Hard Rock Stadium.
As it turns out, their standout quarterback made his only significant mistake at the worst time.
Drew Allar’s struggles, especially his late interception, set up the Notre Dame Fighting Irish for the game-winning field goal with 8 seconds left. Their 27-24 victory sends them to the CFP national championship game in Atlanta, denying the Lions their first trip in 38 years.
Here’s the final Penn State report card from this longer-than-ever, 13-3 season:
The Lions showed promise and push early in the run game with Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. But they needed to keep things even with the passing game.
And, finally, they did just enough.
Allar wasn’t nearly as good as needed (completing just 52% of his passes), but it was his poor decision and interception in the final minute that did in the Lions.
He nearly won a semifinal playoff game, somehow, without completing a single pass to a wide receiver until the final play of the game.
The Lions brought pressure from all angles on both of Notre Dame’s quarterbacks while corralling their stout run game.
The Irish managed only 15 rushing yards in the first half.
But the Irish rallied with their running backs and just enough critical plays from QB Riley Leonard − including the back-breaking 54-yard touchdown catch-and-run to tie it and set the winning stage.
Still, what a performance by injured rush-end Abdul Carter, playing with only one good arm and shoulder. Game-of-his-life effort by Dani Dennis-Sutton on the other side (six tackles, two sacks, interception) and safety Zakee Wheatley (16 tackles, sack, interception).
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A solid evening of taking care of business, from punter Riley Thompson to kicker Ryan Barker to punt returner Zion Tracy.
Despite ND’s penchant for stopping the run, the Lions knew they could bully the banged-up Irish up front, particularly with outside-zone running plays.
Notre Dame gave up a combined 125 rushing yards in playoff victories over Indiana and Georgia. The Lions rushed for 141 in just the first half to set an early tone.
Twice, the Lions gave up big momentum surges to lose at the end.
The offense, more than anything, needed to deliver more of a punch in the middle of the game and could not find a way.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.

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