Drew Allar’s Costly Interception Seals Notre Dame’s Thrilling Orange Bowl Victory Over Penn State, Sending Irish to National Championship

 

Drew Allar’s Costly Interception Seals Notre Dame’s Thrilling Orange Bowl Victory Over Penn State, Sending Irish to National Championship

MIAMI — In a jaw-dropping finish, Notre Dame shocked Penn State 27-24 in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night, earning a spot in the College Football Playoff National Championship for the first time in over a decade. The Irish proved they have what it takes to deliver in crunch time — and Penn State learned the hard way what it feels like to lose it all in the final seconds.

Game-Changing Moments:

  • Penn State’s False Confidence: The Nittany Lions thought they had the game in the bag after jumping to a 10-0 lead, dominating early. But Notre Dame, never one to back down, stormed back with 17 straight points. Riley Leonard found Jaden Greathouse for a 54-yard touchdown, tying it at 17 with just under five minutes left in regulation. Penn State couldn’t hold their ground.
  • Controversial Call Sparks Outrage: A head-scratching pass interference penalty wiped out a potential Notre Dame interception, handing Penn State another chance to take the lead. The move set the Irish fans off, and they let the officials hear it, throwing bottles in frustration. Penn State was back in front, but it wouldn’t last.
  • Allar’s Fatal Mistake: With just 37 seconds left, Drew Allar threw a disastrous interception right into the hands of Notre Dame’s Christian Gray. It was the kind of blunder that will haunt Penn State fans for years. Mitch Jeter calmly booted a 41-yard field goal to clinch the win for Notre Dame. Game over.

A Team That Fights Through Anything:

Notre Dame didn’t just have to battle Penn State — they fought off a flu outbreak and injuries that should have crippled most teams. But the Irish weren’t fazed. Their resilience was unmatched. While Penn State seemed to lose its nerve, Notre Dame kept pushing forward, showing that they were the team with the heart and guts to win when it mattered most.

Freeman Makes History:

Marcus Freeman, who turns 39 on Friday, is rewriting history as the first Black head coach to lead a team to the national championship game in FBS. His leadership has been the backbone of this team, and after this win, it's clear: Freeman isn’t just here to compete — he’s here to win.

On to Atlanta:

Notre Dame (14-1) will now face either Ohio State or Texas in the national championship game on January 20 in Atlanta. Don’t expect the Irish to be intimidated. They’re already looking at Ohio State with a chip on their shoulder after last year’s loss. Running back Jeremiyah Love made it clear: “We want to play the best.”

This win is a massive statement for Notre Dame, who are hungry for their first national title since 1988. And if they play like they did in this thriller, don’t be surprised if they take down the next giant in their path. The Irish are ready to prove they belong on top.