MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — After junior quarterback Drew Allar was picked off in his own territory, No. 7 Notre Dame walked out of Hard Rock Stadium with its sights set on the national title game, following a 27-24 defeat of No. 6 Penn State.
It was a game that didn’t see the best from either quarterback, as Penn State junior Drew Allar completed just 55% of his passes while Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard threw two interceptions. On the interception that would ultimately cost Penn State the game, Allar tried to force it to junior receiver Omari Evans, and Notre Dame defensive back Jordan Clark picked it off.
With under 20 seconds remaining, Leonard got Notre Dame into field goal territory, which found transfer kicker Mitch Jeter hitting a 41-yard game-winner that secured the Fighting Irish the opportunity to now face Friday’s winner between No. 8 Ohio State and No. 5 Texas (7:30 p.m., ESPN) for a chance at becoming national champions on Jan. 20.
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Penn State pass defense struggles
Penn State’s man coverage was tested — and it struggled.
It started with a 32-yard back shoulder fade for Notre Dame tight end Mitchell Evans, sophomore corner A.J. Harris never saw it coming. That drive stalled out, but it was junior backer Kobe King who was subject to the struggles in man, giving up two big plays.
Then, when Penn State got a 24-17 lead, junior cornerback Cam Miller fell in coverage, and Notre Dame receiver Jaden Greathouse took it for a 54-yard score.
It was a night in which the Nittany Lions defensive line was stout — but got little help from its secondary.
Leaning on run
It was a given Penn State would lean on its run game, but there had been times offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki got away from it in past games. That was not the case on Thursday.
The Nittany Lions accumulated 141 rushing yards in the first half, and finished with 204 rushing yards on the night. The run also accounted for three rushing touchdowns, all by junior running back Nick Singleton.
Defensive ends dominate
Senior safety Zakee Wheatley already had an interception early in the game. Junior defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton one-upped him.
Dennis-Sutton dropped back from his edge spot, to pick off Leonard in the fourth quarter. He dominated the game, accounting for two sacks, two tackles for loss, and his clutch interception.
He was coming off a 2 ½ tackles for loss and sack in his performance against Boise State in the absence of junior defensive end Abdul Carter.
Speaking of Carter, he completely dominated with one arm Thursday, as despite a heavily-wrapped right shoulder and part of his arm, the Glenside native finished with two tackles for loss and a sack exclusively lined up on the left edge.
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