Notre Dame vs. Penn State: First Quarter Analysis

Notre Dame vs. Penn State: First Quarter Analysis

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 9: Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on before the Capital One Orange Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium on January 9, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 9: Head coach Marcus Freeman of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looks on before the Capital One Orange Bowl against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Hard Rock Stadium on January 9, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Notre Dame and Penn State haven’t played each other since the current players on both teams were little kids. So it stands to reason that both teams would struggle in the first quarter of the Orange Bowl, which doubles as the College Football Playoff semifinal. In fact, neither team has scored a goal so far.

There wasn’t even a field goal attempt during the quarter. While the teams were able to pick up some first downs and even had a big play or two, they couldn’t get far enough down the field to even think about scoring until the Nittany Lions converted on a fourth down later in the quarter and ended the game The frame knocks on the door of the end zone. This drive was made possible when Riley Leonard threw an interception to Zakee Wheatley.

While one could argue that teams aren’t taking enough chances early on, the reality is that you don’t want to make a mistake at this point that could come back to haunt you later. Therefore, going for it on fourth down, as the Lions did on their final possession of the quarter, is only an option if you’ve moved the ball far enough.

It could be a long night in Miami, but the winner will be determined eventually.

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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame vs. Penn State: First Quarter Analysis

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