In a thrilling College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl, Notre Dame narrowly defeated Penn State with a score of 27-24, thanks to a clutch field goal by Mitch Jeter with only seconds remaining.
The game underscored a persistent issue for Penn State: their wide receivers’ inability to make an impact, as they recorded zero receptions, contributing to negative yardage from laterals.
This performance has reignited discussions about the effectiveness of Penn State’s wide receiver group, with fans and analysts questioning the development under receivers coach Marques Hagans.
Despite the offensive shortcomings, the game was fiercely contested, with Notre Dame’s defense making crucial plays, including an interception by Christian Gray.
Coach James Franklin’s record against top-ranked teams, now standing at 1-14 against AP top-five opponents, continues to be a point of contention among supporters and critics alike.
The outcome of this game not only sends Notre Dame to their first national title game since 2013 but also puts Penn State’s strategy and coaching decisions under the microscope.