James Franklin seemed destined to break the skid. His skid, to be more specific: 12 consecutive losses to top-five opponents, a miserable eight-year drought. But the 11th-year Penn State coach was on the way to snapping that streak.

The energy and attention to detail the 52-year-old coach has exhibited daily for the Nittany Lions have not wavered. Now, becoming the first Black coach in a national title game could be his reward.

The field goal came six plays after PSU head coach James Franklin chose to play the final minute of the game aggressively. With 33 seconds remaining and the ball at the Penn State 28-yard line, quarterback Drew Allar threw a pass that was intercepted by Notre Dame defensive back Christian Gray at the PSU 42-yard line.