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Drew Allar’s Explanation Of Game-Losing INT Against Notre Dame Will Enrage Penn State Fans

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The Penn State Nittany Lions fell to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in College Football Playoff semifinal by a score of 27-24, with the game flipping in Notre Dame’s favor in the final moments thanks to a costly interception thrown by quarterback Drew Allar.

Penn State received the ball with 39 seconds to play in the 4th quarter at their own 28-yard-line and decided to play aggressively, calling a pass on first down in search of a game-winning field goal.

Allar, however — facing pressure up the middle from a rushing ND lineman — lobbed the ball about 20 yard down the middle of the field and it was picked off by Christian Gray.

After the game, Allar was naturally asked about the game-swinging pick and explained that he was trying to throw the ball at the receiver’s feet to escape the down. Furthermore, considering where they were on the field — their own side of the 50th — the time left on the clock, and the tied score, taking a sack and letting the clock expire would’ve been the safer play.

“Honestly, I was trying to dirt it at his feet,” Allar explained after the Orange Bowl loss. “I should’ve thrown it away when I saw the first two progressions were not open. I didn’t execute.”

His explanation might not fly with Penn State fans, however, as his pass was thrown well further than his receiver’s feet.

While had Allar been talked up as a first-round prospect if he were to enter the NFL Draft this year, his performance against Notre Dame undoubtedly dented his stock and likely pushed him closer to deciding to return to Penn State, which reports indicated he already was.

Notre Dame will take on either Ohio State or Texas in the National Championship on Monday, January 24.