Drew Allar's College Football Playoff dreams came crashing down in the most gut-wrenching way Thursday night at the Orange Bowl. The Penn State junior quarterback, who had been playing with poise for much of the game, found himself on the wrong side of a crucial mistake when the "Interception Fairy" decided to pay him a visit at the worst possible moment.
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With the score knotted at 24-24 and only 40 seconds remaining, Penn State had a golden opportunity to drive for a game-winning field goal. Starting at their own 28-yard line, Allar was under pressure from Notre Dame's relentless pass rush. Instead of taking what was there, he tried to force a throw down the middle to wide receiver Omari Evans, but the pass never stood a chance.
Notre Dame cornerback Christian Gray read the play like a book, stepping in front of the ball and intercepting it with ease, putting the Fighting Irish in prime position to seal the win.
After that, Allar was the victim of multiple memes. No big surprise there.
drew allar pic.twitter.com/zbQx3pDVPw
— ruby (@rubythevalley) January 10, 2025
Penn State's defense, which had been strong all game, couldn't get the job done on the other side. The turnover shifted the momentum irreparably, and Notre Dame capitalized, setting up the game-winning field goal just moments later.
It was a cruel twist of fate for Allar and the Nittany Lions, who had battled back from early deficits to stay in the game. But in the end, the costly pick overshadowed an otherwise solid performance from the young quarterback.
For Penn State, it was a bitter pill to swallow — so close to a College Football Playoff berth, yet so far away. Allar's misstep, on the grandest of stages, will undoubtedly linger in the minds of fans and players alike.
