Miami Gardens: Another Nail-biting Near Miss for Penn State Football
So, here we are in Miami Gardens, Florida, where the stakes couldn’t have been higher for Penn State’s football team. Coach James Franklin was just one game away from breaking an 11-year streak of losses to top-five opponents, and honestly, it felt like this was going to be it. I mean, they started off strong! Penn State was up 10-0 in the second quarter and even led 24-17 in the fourth. Fans were on the edge of their seats, feeling that victory was within reach. Could it finally be their moment?
But in a cruel twist of fate, it all came crashing down. Drew Allar, the young quarterback who had been showing promise, threw one of the most gut-wrenching interceptions in College Football Playoff history. Just when hope was alive and kicking, that pesky interception turned the tide, leaving Franklin’s hopes hanging by a thread. With Notre Dame’s Mitch Jeter kicking a 41-yard field goal seconds later, the final score read 27-24. What a heartbreaker!
A 12-Year Drought Turns to 13
The pain deepened for Franklin and his squad as they now face a 13-game skid against top-five teams. And honestly, this one was probably the hardest to swallow, being so close to a shot at the national championship. Just imagine the emotions swirling in that locker room post-game—tears, dejection, and regret were thick in the air. When all was said and done, Allar, visibly shaken, opened up about that fateful interception. He honestly didn’t mean to make such a game-changing mistake.
With just 33 seconds left and the ball resting on their 28-yard line, Allar was in a tough spot. His options were slim; his first and second reads were tightly covered. He ended up throwing off his back foot toward Omari Evans. Instead of placing it safely at Evans’ feet to take another shot, it soared into the hands of Christian Gray from Notre Dame. Can you say ‘ouch’? Allar described it perfectly: “Should have thrown it away.”
The Bigger Picture
You know, that interception is just a snapshot of a larger issue with Penn State’s passing game this season. Throughout the entire game, the Nittany Lions tried 23 times to throw to their wide receivers but ended up completing zero passes. You’re reading that right—zero. None of the receivers could shake off tight coverage by Notre Dame, and that has been a recurring theme. This isn’t a one-off situation either; they experienced a similar struggle during their loss to Ohio State in November! Talk about a rough patch.
Franklin didn’t shy away from the criticism either; he acknowledged that the defensive maneuvers from Notre Dame had an impact on their game plan. “We tried a couple early on and weren’t able to convert,” he said. It felt like every time Penn State approached the end zone, they would fall short, all while Allar was dropping passes all over the place. Folks, it might be time for some serious investment in the wide receiver department. Penn State desperately needs to step up and find some standout players who can make a difference on the field.
The Future Isn’t All Gloom
Some light may appear on the horizon. Penn State’s athletic director, Pat Kraft, made some intriguing comments in November about wanting to “go toe to toe” with powerhouses like Ohio State and Notre Dame in the evolving landscape of college football. Let’s be real—if they want to compete, they will need to tap into the transfer portal and start hunting for junior wide receivers who can actually catch a ball!
The reality is, Franklin is battling the same demons year after year. He’s now holding onto a streak of losses against Ohio State and Michigan that has got to be weighing down the spirits in State College. The pressure is mounting, but it’s not all bad news. Those close to him describe Franklin as passionate and deeply invested in his players’ wellbeing—both on and off the field. After the game, he was seen wrapping his arms around players and expressing pride in their efforts.
Embracing Tradition Amidst Change
Franklin talked about being the “old” guy now in college football. That’s a pretty wild concept given how fast this sport evolves! He emphasized wanting to build a program based on strong relationships; he doesn’t see college football as merely a transactional affair, but one that should be transformational. As he noted, “It’s about the guys. We’ve got a throwback program with throwback uniforms.”
As fans, we can only hope that Penn State learns from this experience and comes back stronger next season. The whispers of Franklin’s losing streak will continue for now, but maybe, just maybe, the tides will turn sooner rather than later. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
