There are announcer jinxes and then there are announcer jinxes.
ESPN CFB analyst Greg McElroy might have jinxed Penn State quarterback Drew Allar to the moon and back on Thursday night right before he threw an absolutely soul-crushing interception that ended up costing them the CFP semifinal against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Penn State and Notre Dame played an instant classic Thursday evening, trading blows all night long until they were tied 24-24 with four and a half minutes to go. Allar was 12-22 with 143 yards on the night so far. The Nittany Lions had the ball on their own 15-yard-line with 47 seconds remaining when ESPN broadcaster Sean McDonough asked McElroy if Penn State should be aggressive and play for a game-winning field goal or keep it conservative and take the game to overtime.
McElroy took one look at Allar and said it was time to be aggressive.
“I’m aggressive… For the most part, all season long, his whole career, Drew Allar has made good decisions. He’s got 50+ touchdowns, only 9 career interceptions. It’s not likely a guy that’s gonna put the ball in harm’s way. I trust him… I would empower him…” – Greg McElroy pic.twitter.com/s9Uet8wnJW
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 10, 2025
“I’m aggressive,” said McElroy. “For the most part, all season long, his whole career, Drew Allar has made good decisions. He’s got 50+ touchdowns, only 9 career interceptions. It’s not likely a guy that’s gonna put the ball in harm’s way. I trust him, I think he can do it. And I would empower him in this situation to drive down the field for a game-winning field goal.”
Two plays later, Allar made his first pass attempt of the drive, a poorly considered pass over the middle of the field that was intercepted.
Two plays later, Drew Allar threw an interception. pic.twitter.com/Behf8uHRgj
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 10, 2025
The turnover was as backbreaking as it seemed. Notre Dame took over with a short field and three timeouts, which they used to line up a game-winning 41-yard field goal by Mitch Jeter for the 27-24 win.
Mitch Jeter nails what would serve as the game-winning kick to send Notre Dame to the CFP National Championship Game.
Sean McDonough with the call for ESPN. 🏈🎙️ pic.twitter.com/OTKkEpH7i8
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 10, 2025
The lesson is, as always, never talk about anything a player has done before this very moment, especially when the game is on the line. The announcer jinx remains undefeated.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.