Drew Allar's final pass in a loss to Oregon was one he would like to have back.
Drew Allar late-game interceptions: Penn State QB mirrors Orange Bowl finish with crushing INT vs. Oregon originally appeared on The Sporting News
Drew Allar's ability to avoid turnovers was initially seen as one of his greatest strengths as he settled into his role as Penn State's quarterback, but the senior signal-caller has seen his last three losses end with devastating interceptions.
Allar's latest regrettable moment came against Oregon on Saturday night with Penn State needing a touchdown to either win or force a third overtime against the Ducks. Oregon's Dillon Thieneman intercepted Allar on the first play of the Nittany Lions' drive.
Allar along with Penn State's running game overcame a 17-3 deficit in the fourth quarter just to get to overtime. Before the interception, momentum seemed to be with Penn State in the second overtime after Oregon's two-point attempt was intercepted.
Allar was intercepted only twice over the first 400 pass attempts of his college career, but he now has three in the last 10 months that will be hard for Penn State fans to stomach.
Here's a look at Allar's game-ending interceptions, including Saturday's against Oregon.
MORE:James Franklin's updated record vs. top-10 teams
Drew Allar game-ending interceptions
Sept. 27, 2025 vs. Oregon
Penn State needed 25 yards to at least tie the game against Oregon in double overtime, and a successful two-point conversion -- mandatory after the first overtime -- would have won the game for the Nittany Lions after the Ducks' attempt was intercepted.
Despite Penn State's running game gaining momentum in the fourth quarter and overtime, Allar threw the ball on the first play of the drive and saw it end up in the hands of Dillon Thieneman.
DREW ALLAR IS PICKED OFF AND THE DUCKS SEAL THE WIN IN OVERTIME @OregonFootball
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 28, 2025
📺:NBC pic.twitter.com/cuLPjhaBkw
It was a tremendous play by Thieneman, who had to leap into the air to snag the ball, but that undoubtedly didn't make Allar feel much better after seeing what was nearly a double-digit comeback win slip away.
MORE:Why Garrett Nussmeier, LSU offense are struggling
Jan. 9, 2025 vs. Notre Dame (CFP semifinals)
The 2025 Orange Bowl, also a College Football Playoff semifinal game, was turned upside down when Allar was intercepted by Notre Dame's Christian Gray in the final minute of the fourth quarter.
Notre Dame picks off Drew Allar late in the fourth 😳 pic.twitter.com/F0SZvM5fFa
— ESPN (@espn) January 10, 2025
Gray's pickoff gave Notre Dame the chance to position itself for a game-winning field goal, which was successful and sent the Fighting Irish to the national championship game. Had Penn State protected the ball, the game would have at least gone to overtime.
Allar's eighth and final interception of his 2024 season instead eliminated Penn State and pulled the rug out from under a potential big-game victory for coach James Franklin.
MORE: College football's overtime rules, explained
Dec. 7, 2024 vs. Oregon (Big Ten championship)
Needing a touchdown and two-point conversion to even the 2024 Big Ten championship against Oregon, Allar was intercepted downfield by Nikko Reed on the second play of Penn State's drive.
NIKKO REED!! INTERCEPTION OREGON!! pic.twitter.com/IsaPJL0Kx4
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) December 8, 2024
Reed made a terrific play, almost playing the ball as though he were a wide receiver, and he instantly shifted the momentum back to the unbeaten Ducks.
The turnover didn't immediately end the game, as the Nittany Lions had the chance to get the ball back with limited time on the clock, but Oregon picked up a first down on the ensuing drive and ended the game with the ball.
Category: General Sports
