Penn State stepped underneath the brilliant lights, determined to conquer Notre Dame and advance to the nationwide championship. A semifinals look within the Faculty Soccer Playoff didn’t vindicate its previous high-stakes failures. Put merely, Thursday evening’s Orange Bowl was a program-defining sport, and head coach James Franklin headed into the locker room with one other heart-wrenching defeat on his resume.
He was compelled to finish a well-recognized routine– deal with the media after dropping to a top-five opponent. Franklin was not alone, with operating again Nick Singleton and quarterback Drew Allar fielding questions from reporters whereas additionally processing the top of their season. The previous rushed for 3 touchdowns and amassed greater than 100 yards from scrimmage. The latter struggled mightily, throwing for under 135 yards and committing the game-sealing interception with slightly over 30 seconds remaining in regulation.
Franklin didn’t level fingers, although. He recommended each gamers following the 27-24 loss. “Couldn’t be extra pleased with these two younger males,” the 11-year Nittany Lions HC mentioned, per The Athletic’s Audrey Snyder.
The feedback part is bombarding Allar with mockery, however Franklin is providing some reward. He isn’t merely referring to the younger QB’s efficiency, nevertheless, as there may be admittedly little to rejoice from an execution standpoint. No, Franklin is ostensibly praising Allar’s character and perseverance.
James Franklin exhibits Drew Allar some love throughout a low second
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The 20-year-old out of Medina, Ohio didn’t rise to the event on this evening, however he clearly has his coach’s respect. Allar made a giant leap as a passer this season, and whereas he did scuffle down the stretch, he gave Penn State followers hope that the nationwide title may lastly be a sensible goal.
Ultimately, although, this system is caught in the identical place it has occupied for a lot of the James Franklin period. The Lions are a very good however not nice squad that wilts in opposition to higher tier competitors. There’s loads of accountability to go round. Allar made key errors, the vast receivers had been stunningly quiet and the protection staggered within the second half.
The back-breaking interception will overshadow every little thing else due to when it occurred, however cornerback Cam Miller slipped on Jaden Greathouse’s 54-yard game-tying landing late within the fourth quarter. Penn State soccer as a bunch, together with the much-maligned Franklin, didn’t get it executed in Laborious Rock Stadium.
When the CFP started, the consensus was that this crew had a extremely navigable path to the semifinals and a possible shot at making the title sport. Primarily based on how the bracket shook out, it’s troublesome for followers to relish the general expertise. Franklin, alternatively, is doing his greatest to emphasise a few of the positives to return out of the 2024-25 journey.
His delight should translate into tangible outcomes, nevertheless. Ideally, Drew Allar and the remainder of the Nittany Lions will shortly be taught from this agonizing defeat and channel the ache right into a gripping redemption story. One factor is for certain, College Park is determined for the web page to activate this ongoing Penn State soccer narrative.