Penn State’s quest for a fifth Orange Bowl victory ended in heartbreak Thursday night, as the Nittany Lions fell 27-24 to Notre Dame. The loss not only dashed their hopes for an Orange Bowl win but also ended their season one step shy of a national championship appearance. Here are three key takeaways from the game:
1: Costly Mistakes
Drew Allar’s late interception, which set up Notre Dame’s game-winning field goal, was the most glaring error, but it was far from the only mistake. Throughout the game, Penn State’s miscues allowed the Fighting Irish to capitalize, a pattern Notre Dame has exploited all season. The final interception was a culmination of a series of errors that ultimately sealed Penn State’s fate.
2: Inconsistent Wide Receiver Play
The Nittany Lions’ wide receivers, a question mark entering the season, failed to deliver in the biggest game. Despite head coach James Franklin’s praise for the group’s growth, they were ineffective on Thursday, with no wide receiver recording a single catch. In contrast, Notre Dame’s receivers made critical plays, helping to tie the game and set up the decisive field goal.
3: An Offseason of Reflection
Despite a successful 13-win season and a College Football Playoff semifinal appearance, Penn State’s inability to close out big games remains a concern. They held leads of 10-0 in the first half and 24-17 in the fourth quarter, only to see both slip away. As the Lions head into the offseason, questions about how to take the next step will linger, while Notre Dame prepares for a shot at the national title.
