There are announcer curses and then there are announcer curses.

ESPN CFB analyst Greg McElroy may have hexed Penn State quarterback Drew Allar to the moon and back on Thursday night, right before he threw an absolutely soul-destroying interception that ultimately cost them the CFP semifinals against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Penn State and Notre Dame played an instant classic Thursday night, trading blows all night until they were tied 24-24 with four and a half minutes left. Allar was 12-22 with 143 yards so far on the night. The Nittany Lions had the ball at their own 15-yard line with 47 seconds left when ESPN broadcaster Sean McDonough asked McElroy whether Penn State would be aggressive and play for a game-winning field goal or stay conservative and take the game into overtime should .

McElroy took one look at Allar and said it was time to be aggressive.

“I’m aggressive… Most of the time, all season, his entire career, Drew Allar has made good decisions. He has more than 50 touchdowns and only 9 interceptions in his career. It is unlikely that anyone will put the ball in danger. I trust him…I would strengthen him…” – Greg McElroy pic.twitter.com/s9Uet8wnJW

– Awful Announcement (@awfulanncreasing) January 10, 2025

“I’m aggressive,” McElroy said. “For the most part, all season, his entire career, Drew Allar has made good decisions. He has more than 50 touchdowns and only 9 interceptions in his career. It is unlikely that anyone will put the ball in danger. I trust him, I think he can do it. And I would empower him in that situation to drive down the field and score a game-winning field goal.”

Two plays later, Allar made his first pass attempt of the drive, an ill-advised pass across the middle of the field that was intercepted.

Two plays later, Drew Allar threw an interception. pic.twitter.com/Behf8uHRgj

– Awful Announcement (@awfulanncreasing) January 10, 2025

The turnover was as shocking as it seemed. Notre Dame took over with a short field and three timeouts, which they used to score a game-winning 41-yard field goal from Mitch Jeter for a 27-24 victory.

Mitch Jeter makes the winning kick to send Notre Dame to the CFP National Championship Game.

Sean McDonough with the call for ESPN. 🏈🎙️ pic.twitter.com/OTKkEpH7i8

– Awful Announcement (@awfulanncreasing) January 10, 2025

The lesson, as always, is never talk about anything a player did before that moment, especially when the game is on the line. The Announcer Curse remains undefeated.