MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — In a crucial moment of the Orange Bowl, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar attempted to safely throw the ball into the ground; however, Notre Dame defensive back Christian Gray made a diving interception instead. This pivotal play allowed Notre Dame to seize a 27-24 victory on Thursday, securing a place in the national championship game.
Gray intercepted Allar’s risky pass at the Penn State 42-yard line with just 33 seconds remaining. This set up a swift 19-yard drive that culminated in Mitch Jeter’s decisive 41-yard field goal. With this win, the Fighting Irish (14-1) advanced as the seventh seed in the newly expanded 12-team college playoff structure. They aim to earn their 12th title, the first since 1988, in the championship game scheduled for January 20 in Atlanta. They will face the winner of the Texas versus Ohio State semifinal taking place tonight.
Reflecting on his interception, Gray expressed his determination to make a game-changing play: “I was just thinking to myself, ‘Just catch the ball. Just catch the ball,’” he stated.
Allar pointed out that his initial throws were covered, and he intended to toss the ball harmlessly at the feet of his intended targets. The pressure he faced while rolling out and his precarious angle led to an underthrown ball that Gray intercepted. “Honestly, I was trying to ‘dirt’ it at his feet. I didn’t execute,” Allar admitted after the game.
The contest was a thrilling one, marked by three ties and three lead changes, with a total of 31 points scored in the final quarter. Notre Dame’s head coach Marcus Freeman noted the significance of making plays under pressure: “Great teams and great programs find a way to do that.”
With this defeat, Penn State coach James Franklin’s record dropped to 4-20 against AP Top 10 teams, following a season that concluded with the Nittany Lions at 13-3. “There are many pivotal plays in that game that could have swayed the outcome,” he remarked, emphasizing the importance of overall team performance rather than individual errors.
In the second quarter, Notre Dame’s quarterback Riley Leonard faced a tough hit, necessitating a check for concussion symptoms. He managed to return and orchestrate four scoring drives in the second half, including one that secured the game. “He’s a competitor who knows how to win,” Freeman commented on Leonard’s resilience. Leonard amassed 223 passing yards, including a crucial 10-yard completion to Jaden Greathouse on the final drive, and he contributed 35 rushing yards and a touchdown each through the air and on the ground.
As the game unfolded, Leonard’s prowess became increasingly evident. After a slip allowed him to connect with Greathouse for a 54-yard touchdown, the score was tied at 24. Although the game began sluggishly, Leonard’s injury turned the tide, leading the Fighting Irish to touchdown drives of 75 and 72 yards in the third quarter for a 17-10 lead.
Penn State had opportunities to respond, with Allar, viewed as a potential first-round NFL draft pick, left to contemplate his fateful throw during the offseason. Following a punt by Notre Dame, the Nittany Lions took over and appeared on the verge of forcing overtime. Yet, under pressure, Allar’s risky throw across the field was intercepted by Gray, leading to the Irish’s chance at glory.
Looking back at their journey, linebacker Jack Kiser expressed pride over the team’s growth after an early season setback against Northern Illinois: “To realize how far we’ve come, it’s just so exciting,” he said. Penn State’s Nick Singleton was a standout performer, rushing for 84 yards and securing all three of his team’s touchdowns. Allar concluded the game with 135 yards on 12 of 23 passing, with that crucial interception weighing heavily on him.
After the game, Allar took full responsibility for the loss, saying, “We didn’t win the game, so it wasn’t good enough.” He expressed a desire to learn from this moment and improve moving forward.
In Leonard’s absence following his injury, backup quarterback Steve Angeli stepped in, completing 6 of 7 passes for 44 yards, and successfully moved Notre Dame into field goal range just prior to halftime, narrowing their deficit to 10-3. “We have a lot of confidence in Steve,” Freeman stated regarding Angeli’s performance.
The weather during the matchup was unseasonably cool, with kickoff temperatures hovering at 56 degrees, making it one of the coldest Orange Bowls ever, second only to the 2010 game involving Georgia Tech and Iowa that started at 49 degrees.
Looking ahead, Notre Dame is poised to face either Ohio State or Texas on January 20 in the championship game, while Penn State is set to kick off their 2025 season at home against Nevada on August 30.
