Penn State Season Comes to an End in Disappointing Fashion

Tagged under: Gameday Hub, News, Penn State, Pennsylvania Colleges, pfn

Mason Eddinger | January 9, 2025

  Penn State, Notre Dame, in Miami, what’s better? The storied rivalry took one of its most important turns in the 20 meetings between the prestigious universities. How did the classic matchup turn out? Let’s dive in.

  Both teams started the game trading punts. The defenses stole the show for the majority of the first half. Drew Allar missed plenty of throws, including a slight miss on a pass to Nick Singleton that prevented Penn State from getting their first Touchdown. 

  After their defense made a few stops, Penn State would embark on a long drive dominated by runs and Singleton paid it off for a score. In the first half, Penn State had 141 rushing yards, and Notre Dame had 15. In the first half, the Penn State defense, led by Abdul Carter, held the Irish to just three points. Carter constantly applied pressure to Riley Leonard and backup QB Steve Angeli who entered the game for a drive as Leonard was evaluated for a concussion.

  In the second half, Penn State’s defense would need to continue their excellence in stopping the Notre Dame rushing attack, they couldn’t on the opening drive. Riley Leonard would be able to get his 16th rushing TD of the year to tie the game up at 10. Notre Dame had momentum and was not going to be denied on their next drive. 

  With a tie game, Love and Leonard imposed their will and gave the Irish their first lead of the game. Penn State had lost the momentum and needed it back badly. Notre Dame had become the more physical team in the game.

  On Penn State’s next drive, they needed 7 and got 7. After a slight scare with Tyler Warren hitting his head on the sideline, Penn State relied on their run game, a unit that has excelled all year. Nick Singleton would score and Penn State would be able to tie it up. On the ensuing Notre Dame drive, Riley Leonard forced a ball into a tough window and EDGE rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton jumped the pass and picked it off. This felt like the moment that Penn State stole momentum. On their drive fresh off the interception, Penn State, with great field position needed points. Allar loaded up into triple coverage, and it was intercepted. But a defensive pass interference by Notre Dame gave Penn State yet another lifeline. Once again, Nick Singleton would get into the endzone to make it a hat trick. Penn State led 24-17.

  When Notre Dame needed it most, they got a gift. After Penn State DB Cam Miller fell, it allowed a wipe-open reception for Jaden Greathouse. After a nice move, he was able to walk in for the score to tie the game at 24. Back and forth we went.

  With a chance to win it, Drew Allar committed a cardinal sin, throwing an interception late in the 4th quarter. With the great field position, Notre Dame worked it to a 41-yarder for Mitch Jeter. Nailed it. Irish win. Nittany Lions Lose.

  The off-season dialogue will begin regarding a multitude of Nittany Lions, including Head Coach James Franklin. I will let the fans discuss the stability of his job. For now, it’s off to another grueling off-season of disappointment, something this fanbase is far too familiar with.

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