Skip to main content
penn-state logo

Penn State-Notre Dame Takeaways: Late turnover shatters championship hopes

Screen Shot 2021-11-15 at 6.02.01 PMby:BWI Staff•01/10/25
Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks on in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Hard Rock Stadium. (Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)
Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks on in the first half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Hard Rock Stadium. (Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)

By Greg Pickel

MIAMI, Fla. — The 2024 Penn State football season is over. The Nittany Lions fell to Notre Dame, 27-24, in a College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl. The Fighting Irish’s Mitch Jeter hit a 41-yard field goal with seven seconds left to lift ND to victory.

Here are our initial takeaways.

The Penn State offense could not rise to the occasion

Nicholas Singleton had three rushing touchdowns (more on that in a moment), and Tyler Warren was his regular big-play self. But otherwise, the Penn State offense did not rise to the occasion. Quarterback Drew Allar threw a back-beaking interception with 32 seconds left to help put Notre Dame in position to kick the winning field goal. He also threw two interceptions earlier in the game but had both overturned by penalty, one legitimately and one maybe not so much. No Nittany Lion receiver caught a pass in the game. And Allar, a junior, finished 11 of 21 (52 percent) for 139 yards, no touchdowns, and the pick.

Andy Kotelnicki had a fine first season as the Penn State offensive coordinator. But a receiver issue that predated his arrival ultimately sunk the Lions, in combination with inconsistent play overall, despite PSU going further than many expected. That is the story of this game, when all is said and done.

The Penn State starting defensive ends, Zakee Wheatley shined

Abdul Carter was not 100 percent but still played more than anyone expected and was terrific. He was a terror all night, finishing with five tackles, a sack, a pass breakup, and a couple of quarterback hurries. If not for him, the story of the night up front would have been Dani Dennis-Sutton. His fourth-quarter interception set up the go-ahead score for Penn State. Before that, he had four tackles and two sacks, and finished with six and two.

Then there was Wheatley. The Fiesta Bowl MVP is earning the nickname of Mr. Postseason. He led the Lions with 15 tackles and also had a sack, tackle for loss, and an interception that led to a Penn State field goal. He was simply outstanding.

Nicholas Singleton came to play

Singleton may have played his final game for the Nittany Lions on Thursday night. He is NFL Draft-eligible, and while one performance does not a decision make, this was a terrific one on one of the biggest stages of the year. He scored three touchdowns, two from 7 yards out and one from 5 yards, while tallying 15 carries for 84 yards and adding a 23-yard reception.

On a night when the Nittany Lions’ offense struggled to consistently produce points and yards, Singleton did not disappoint. Kaytron Allen played well, too, including a couple of big blocks on the rushing scores.

Odds and ends

— There was talk before this game that Allar might renege on his decision to come back for the 2025 season and instead declare for the NFL Draft. After this performance, it would be shocking if that were to happen.

— Penn State’s defense finished with 8 tackles for loss and 5 sacks. The pass rush was able to get to Riley Leonard as expected.

— The Lions were 3 for 11 on third down, which is another reason they lost.

You may also like