Penn State football’s season is over, folks.

The Nittany Lions fell to Notre Dame off a last-second field goal in the 27-24 loss in the Orange Bowl Thursday night in Miami.

Both teams experienced struggles with their offenses and defenses, but one group that remained consistent was Penn State’s defensive line. The front was tasked with stopping a ground-and-pound Notre Dame rushing attack, led by star runningback Jeremiyah Love and quarterback Riley Leonard.

Love racked up 108 yards and a touchdown on eight carries against the No. 1 rush defense in the country versus Indinia in round one of the playoffs. Love suffered an injury against Georgia a week ago and Leonard led the way with 80 yards on 14 carries.

Despite the loss, the Nittany Lions held the Fighting Irish to a season-low 116 yards in the College Football Playoff semifinal. But the group didn’t think it was enough to win the game.

“We can do better,” defensive tackle Zane Durant said postgame. “We didn’t do enough. They scored too many points. We didn’t do our jobs.”

The defense, as a whole, totaled five sacks and eight tackles for loss, capping off a postseason total of 11 sacks and 28 tackles for loss.

Leading the way against Notre Dame was Dani Dennis-Sutton, who had two sacks, two tackles for loss, and an interception. Abdul Carter had a sack and two tackles for loss, Cozziah Izzard had one of each statistic, and Durant had a tackle for loss.

“We didn’t get the job done. We didn’t win the game, but just really proud of the guys all season long,” defensive coordinator Tom Allen said. “Thought they played super hard today.”

The big story leading up to the game was Carter’s health. The future first-rounder injured his arm against Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl and was questionable leading up to the game. Carter ended up starting and made an impact in the game.

“The fact that he played from start to finish is just a testament to his toughness, his heart, and his love for his teammates,” Allen said. “He wanted to be out there for his brothers and he did a great job. So, I know he’s hurting, physically and he pushed through all of that so just really proud of him.”

“He’s a warrior man,” defensive line coach Deion Barnes said of Carter. “He didn’t complain at all. He tried his best to be able to try to help us win.”

Izzard and Durant were wreaking havoc on the interior of Notre Dame’s offensive line for most of the evening. Love was held to just 45 yards and one score, Leonard averaged 1.9 yards per carry, and Jadarian Price, the backup running back, had 13 yards on seven carries.

“Several big stops by them, especially tackles for loss by Zane, they were huge and they’re just big anchors in the middle and I just feel like that their play late in the season was really huge for our whole defense,” Allen said. “They’re just playing against elite running backs, elite offensive lines, and they were very explosive up front and getting off the ball and disrupting.”

The defense looked its best all season to start the game. Notre Dame was forced to punt twice and threw an interception on its first three offensive possessions. Leonard was injured and backup quarterback Steve Angeli led the Irish to a field goal on the last drive of the first half.

Notre Dame received the opening kickoff and scored its first touchdown of the game on an eight-play, 75-yard drive in 4:14. Then the Irish found the end zone again two possessions later to make it 17 unanswered points.

“Too many explosives,” linebacker Dom DeLuca said. “Came down to the wire. We got punched in the mouth in the third quarter opening drive. I mean, we just can’t have that. We need to start stronger in the second half, just executing and doing our jobs.”

The Nittany Lions knotted the game with a touchdown and Dennis-Sutton flipped the momentum, with an acrobatic interception to set up the offense for another touchdown drive to take the lead.

“He had a phenomenal game. He did what he had to do to help us try to win,” Barnes said.

But another Notre Dame touchdown and Drew Allar’s interception sealed the game. The defense had no more answers as kicker Mitch Jeter punched Notre Dame’s ticket to the College Football national championship.

“I’m proud of these young men and what they’ve accomplished, and where they are able to do this season was pretty awesome,” Allen said.

It was a somber Penn State locker room after the game. Players were shaking hands, giving each other hugs, and shedding tears. Of those was Dennis-Sutton, despite playing one of the best games of his Penn State career.

“I know Dani. He’s going to come out every game. He’s been doing it all year and he’s given his all. And that’s what he did today, it’s just unfortunate we came up a little short,” Carter said.

When asked about his career game, all Dennis-Sutton could talk about was his teammates.

“I’ve got to look at the film but to be honest, my initial thought is I’m going to miss my brothers,” Dennis-Sutton said. “The ones that are leaving, I’m going to miss them. I had a great season and a great time playing with those guys.”