MIAMI, FLORIDA– Penn State DT Dvon J-Thomas did what leaders do in heartbreaking situations: he defended his quarterback, Drew Allar.
Whether it’s fair or not, the one play anybody will remember above all else from Penn State’s Orange Bowl/College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Notre Dame is Drew Allar’s interception with 33 seconds left.
Penn State Drops Orange Bowl to Notre Dame in Heartbreaking Fashion
Notre Dame picks off Drew Allar late in the fourth ๐ณ pic.twitter.com/F0SZvM5fFa
— ESPN (@espn) January 10, 2025
That set Notre Dame up at the Penn State 42-yard line, and ultimately, led to the field goal that sunk Penn State’s national title hopes.
it is good pic.twitter.com/CXb1CUOXOB
— CJ Fogler ๐ซก (@cjzero) January 10, 2025
Allar came into the Orange Bowl with a reputation for not getting the job done during big games. The main ones were 2023’s losses to Ohio State (18-for-42, 191 yards) and Michigan (10-for-22, 70 yards). He did nothing to cleanse himself of that reputation in South Beach, going 12 for 23 with 135 yards, no touchdowns and an interception.
Drew Allar when asked about his performance in Penn State's 20-12 loss to Ohio State: "I sucked" pic.twitter.com/xnB6DAvN6H
— Ryan Risky (@rriskyyy) October 21, 2023
But J-Thomas, a sixth-year senior who just played his last game at Penn State, feels it was the play of Allar that made it possible for Penn State to come to within two games of winning a national championship.
WHAT J-THOMAS SAID
“I mean, listen. Everyone wants to talk about Drew throwing that last-minute interception, but let’s look at the season as a whole. Drew has made some incredible plays all season. He’s the reason why we’re here. We wouldn’t be having this conversation right now after the Orange Bowl is it wasn’t for Drew doing the things that he’s done all season. He throws a pick in a moment where, of course, anybody would be upset. But it happens. It’s football. Not everything is going to be sunshine and rainbows, perfect plays, perfect catches, whatever the situation is, it happens. So, however it played out, I think you Drew and I appreciate you for all that he’s done and all that he will do for this program.โ
โHeโs the reason why weโre here.โ
Penn State DT Dvon J-Thomas defended QB Drew Allar after an interception by Allar led to Notre Dame kicking a game-winning field goal and ending PSUโs season. pic.twitter.com/hUxbG901Sl
— Joe Smeltzer (@joesmeltzer775) January 10, 2025
THE BIG PICTURE
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Drew Allar #15 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts to a non call during the Penn State Nittany Lions versus Boise State Broncos College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on December 31,2024, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire)
Allar has plenty to be proud of for how 2024 went. He ended the year with 3,192 yards passing, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions, completing 67.4% of his passes (up from 59.9% in 2023). He showed enough in the College Football Playoff to have people wondering whether he’d change his mind and declare for the NFL Draft.
Penn State’s next game is Saturday, Aug. 30 against Nevada at Beaver Stadium.
