MiamiAfter making the most significant error of his football career, Drew Allars sat on the grass at Hard Rock Stadium by himself, slamming the ground with both hands. Drew Shelton, an offensive lineman, assisted his quarterback in standing up as Notre Dame celebrated. Allar put his hands on his head as he walked back to the Penn State sideline, stunned by what had just transpired.
Everyone will remember Allar’s interception in the fourth quarter of Penn State’s 27–24 College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Notre Dame. At the worst possible moment, the second-year starter who showed progress this season and helped Penn State reach the CFP semifinal made a mistake.
With 33 seconds remaining in regulation, the Irish took control after Allar was intercepted. With eight seconds remaining, they kicked a 41-yard field goal to win the game and bleed the clock. On January 20 in Atlanta, Notre Dame will play either Texas or Ohio State in the national championship after punching its ticket there.
Allar had to pass Notre Dame’s locker room and the confetti on the corridor floor on his way to the Hard Rock Stadium media room, while the Irish enjoyed themselves after the game. He was questioned there about the interception that would plague him and the supporters throughout the offseason.
Before he completed the throw in the direction of Omari Evans, Allar remarked, “I was working through my progressions and got to the backside read.” I was attempting to sully his feet. Given the circumstances we were in, I should have simply tossed it away when I thought the first two progressions were closed. I was attempting to sully Omari’s feet. simply didn’t carry out my intended action.
With less than a minute remaining in a 24–24 game, Penn State was acting aggressively. With 47 seconds remaining, Notre Dame punted at their own 15-yard line, and the Nittany Lions grabbed control. Nick Singleton’s 13-yard run allowed for the game-winning field goal.
Penn State increased the pace. Tyler Warren, the outstanding tight end, was covered when Allar turned to his left. Allar went right and let the ball go over the middle just as a blitzer clocked him. Christian Gray of Notre Dame made the play after stepping on Evans.
In the fourth quarter of the Orange Bowl on January 9, 2025, Drew Allar, the quarterback for Penn State, reacts after throwing an interception.
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Andy Kotelnicki, offensive coordinator at Penn State, stated that he and the staff have no regrets about trying to force a field goal and continuing with the tempo. In the solemn postgame locker room at Penn State, he reaffirmed, “We’re going to play to win.” After then, Kotelnicki was questioned on Allar’s interception.
Kotelnicki, whose guidance and philosophy were crucial to Allar’s growth this season, stated, “He’s going to put that on himself, and he doesn’t have to.” To ensure that our people have an opportunity to separate and place him in a more comfortable position, I must be better for him and our offense, regardless of the play we call.
That’s not on you, I tell him plainly. You don’t have to bear the burden of responsibility for it. Because, collectively, as a football team, we will both win and lose. One play is never enough. That one is going to be blamed by everyone. However, I would say, I adore you.
Warren went on to say, “He knows we have his back.” He is obviously a competitor and puts a lot of strain on himself. Therefore, it will be difficult for any opponent to deal with such a circumstance. We’ve got his back, though. He is our quarterback.
Throughout the season, Allar has been a productive quarterback for this club. His 8.6 yards per attempt put him in 12th place in the FBS going into the Orange Bowl. He increased his completion rate to 67.4% from 59.9%. He developed as a leader and as the offense’s director. After declaring his intention to remain for the 2025 season, there was even speculation that if the junior led Penn State to a national championship, he may wind up departing for the NFL draft.
Rather, Allar did not perform to his maximum capacity in the season’s most important match. The wideouts had no catches all night against Notre Dame’s stingy man coverage, demonstrating the absence of assistance at wide receiver.
Allar, however, was gone. For 135 yards, he completed 12 of 23 throws. In the first half, he missed a pass to Singleton that may have resulted in a touchdown. Then he made the crucial interception.
Allar hopes the interception won’t be a career-defining moment. In order to be in the running for a national championship the next season, he will expect to have another opportunity to return to this point.
Allar promised to do everything within his power to help me learn from that error.
When asked about the entire 2024 season, Allar responded, “I learned a lot about myself.” I believe the coaching staff deserves praise for letting me be who I am. Both on and off the field, I believe I developed significantly. I’m just going to take it on the chin for the time being, learn from it, and go on.
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Johnny McGonigal