Penn State coach James Franklin consoled his daughter Addison Franklin, who broke down in tears after a 27-24 loss to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night, as seen in social media videos.
The father-daughter duo were holding hands in the back hallways of Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium — home of the Dolphins — en route to the Nittany Lions’ locker room after the defeat.
Franklin held Addison while she cried in his arms, until he saw Penn State running back Nick Singleton storming out of the locker room.
Singleton, who was visibly upset after the loss, walked out with his hands on his head.
Franklin quickly approached him and guided him back to the locker room.
Singleton threw his arms down and returned to the locker room without any issue.
It was an emotional defeat for the Nittany Lions.
A crucial interception by Penn State quarterback Drew Allar with 33 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter in a 24-24 game doomed the Nittany Lions.
Allar, who struggled for most of the game, threw a pass across the middle on first down from the Penn State 28-yard line that was intended for wideout Omari Evans — but was intercepted by Notre Dame’s Christian Gray.
It marked Allar’s first interception of the CFP and his eighth of the season.
The Fighting Irish then picked up a first down and Mitch Jeter converted a 41-yard field goal attempt with seven seconds left to secure the win — and punch a ticket to the national title game.
Penn State grabbed a 10-0 lead late in the second quarter before Notre Dame rallied.
Notre Dame will face the winner of Ohio State vs. Texas on Jan. 20 in Atlanta.
The Buckeyes and Longhorns play Friday night in the other CFP semifinal.
