CFP Semifinals - Sunday Storylines (Part 1)

Notre Dame outlasts Penn State - Penn State quarterback Drew Allar got away with it once in the first half.

He got away with it a second time early in the fourth quarter, but the interception was wiped out after a controversial pass interference call.

The junior signal-caller did not get away with it a third time.

Instead, with a chance to mount a legendary drive and set the Nittany Lions up with a shot to win the game, he made his worst throw of the night. With 37 seconds remaining in a 24-all ball game, Allar committed the quarterback Cardinal Sin - throwing late, back across his body. The arrant throw proved costly and was picked off by Notre Dame corner Christian Gray. Gray’s diving interception gave the Fighting Irish prime field position, and a few plays later, kicker Mitch Jeter knocked down the game-winning 41-yard field goal to win the Orange Bowl and send Notre Dame to the national title game for the first time in 12 years.

College football can be a cruel game. And it feels particularly harsh to put the game squarely on Allar’s shoulders, but he simply did not play well.

Despite steadily improving throughout the regular season and first two College Football Playoff games, Allar struggled with accuracy all night. He finished the game with just 12 completions on 23 attempts for 135 yards and an interception. The most glaring stat of the night? Allar did not complete a single pass attempt to a wide receiver. It was a testament to Notre Dame’s aggressive corners and showed the obvious flaws in the Nittany Lion receiving core.

On one hand, Penn State lost this game. On the other, Notre Dame deserves an immense amount of credit for finding ways to win this game.

In the first half, things looked grim for the Fighting Irish. Penn State was playing bully ball. Notre Dame lost a pair of key offensive linemen to injury. The cherry on top? Quarterback Riley Leonard got rocked and had to temporarily exit the game.

In the second half, however, the Fighting Irish exhibited all the traits of superstar head coach Marcus Freeman. Grit. Determination. A find-a-way attitude.

The Fighting Irish answered the bell on the opening drive of the second half, tying the game at 10-10 after a demonstrative 8-play, 80-yard drive capped by a three-yard Riley Leonard rushing touchdown. Then things got nutty in the final frame.

Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love had an incredible goal line-stretching touchdown to put the Golden Domers up 17-10 early in the fourth quarter. Penn State answered though with a pair of Nic Singleton scores and had a seven-point lead midway through the final quarter.

The Fighting Irish caught a fortunate break late in the fourth when a pair of Penn State defenders slipped down on a wide-open Riley Leonard to Jaden Greathouse touchdown reception to tie the game.

All in all, this was the best game of the 12-team College Football Playoff era and featured a little bit of everything for everyone.

Standout performers included Riley Leonard, who finished 15/23 for 223 yards and two touchdowns. Penn State's one-two running back punch Kaytron Allen and Nic Singleton deserve a ton of applause, as does the Nittany Lion offensive line. Penn State finished with over 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Tyler Warren was also a monster and led Penn State with six catches for 75 yards. What a player. Abdul Carter was also a force, despite being hampered by a shoulder injury.

The college football world will understandably make Big Game James Franklin jokes, but this is not the game for that. Franklin’s late-game decision-making didn’t lose Penn State this game.

With the win, Notre Dame moves on to the national title game, where they’ll face the winner of Ohio State-Texas. Head coach Marcus Freeman will also be the first Black head coach to appear in a national title game, which is an impressive achievement.

+1 units on the season

Notre Dame vs. +2 Penn State - -1 unit

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