Penn State was not prepared to handle an unusual end to a season.

Miami Gardens | Penn State running backs coach Ja'Juan Seider looked around the Penn State football locker room late Thursday night and wanted a hug. Every player, every person there. He wanted to absorb their hurt.

“It’s really frustrating, because only one team is improving and it’s not you,” Seider said after the game. Nittany Lions lose 27-24 to Notre Dame To the orange ball. “It's hard to put into words. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be here, but it means nothing if you don't finish. So kudos to Notre Dame. They played well. They finished last and we didn't.”

Words were fleeting in the Penn State locker room at Hard Rock Stadium as the Nittany Lions tried to process the end of the longest and winningest football season in school history. We've played 16 games and have 13 wins, but we're not there yet on Thursday night.

'It's just heartbreaking'

In a small room attached to the locker room, several Penn State players conducted separate interviews with their teammates. Among them was defensive tackle DVon J-Thomas, who played his final game at Penn State.

“It's terrible to come so close to accomplishing what we set out to do so early in the season. It's just heartbreaking,” Thomas said. “It's absolutely devastating. You've sacrificed so much, been through so much, and it's especially heartbreaking because you're so close.”

Dani Dennis-Sutton's emotional closing

Dennis-Sutton played one of his best games at Penn State, wreaking havoc on Notre Dame's offense with two sacks, a forced fumble (which Penn State was unable to recover), and a remarkably athletic interception. He was noticeably one of the players who took the loss the hardest.

“Do you know when you hit me?” Thomas said. “When I got my hands on that kid right away. Dani Dennis-Sutton. He's an amazing person and an amazing player. He's grown and developed so much. I've been playing with Dani since he was a freshman in high school (McDonogh School) , and to see him play as hard as he did today, he really impressed me.”

Meanwhile, Dennis-Sutton wanted to defend his quarterback. Drew Alla hard night It was highlighted by a fourth-quarter interception that Notre Dame turned into a game-winning field goal.

“He didn’t lose this game to us,” Dennis-Sutton said. “The defense allowed too many points. Drew wouldn't be in that position if we didn't allow them to get 24 points and score on the last drive.”

The offensive coordinator also lifts Allar.

As Penn State's locker room door opened, offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki stood guard. He absorbed a group of reporters, hoping to protect the players from them and be the first to take responsibility. The first fighter he defended was Allar, his voice shaking as he spoke about him.

“It’s tough because he’s going to take it upon himself,” Kotelnicki said. “I have to do better for him and our offense. … I simply tell him: That's not you. It's not up to you. You don't have to carry it on your shoulders and feel blamed for it. We “As a group, you can win or you can lose… I love you because I love you.”

“I was heartbroken because of Cam.” Tom Allen said:

Cornerback Cam Miller sat quietly and alone at his locker while his teammates paused for a word or a hug. Miller lost his feet on one coverage play, which led to Notre Dame receiver Jaden Greathouse's free release for a 54-yard touchdown reception that tied the game with 4:38 remaining. As Kotelnicki lifted the quarterback, defensive coordinator Tom Allen also lifted the cornerback.

“It breaks my heart because I know Cam is blaming himself,” Allen said. “Cam is an amazing guy, a great player, and he does everything right. I just talked to him and he said, ‘One play doesn’t define you and it doesn’t define the game.’ Bottom line is, he’s unbelievable. “He’s a great player and a very detailed player.”

Overcoming the “Hump”

Seider addressed the elephant in the locker room, which was certainly communicated by Penn State coach James Franklin and the national conversation about the big game.

“I think the first part is getting over the hump and winning these types of games,” Seider said. “You have to finish last. We were so close. Bad balls told us they couldn’t beat us, and they caught up with us in the end.”

too early

Center Nick Dawkins was filling his equipment bag with pads and equipment when he was asked how he would like to remember this moment.

“No matter what I say, you will never understand the brotherhood we had, the camaraderie we shared and the sacrifices we made to play football for Penn State together,” Dawkins said. “Nothing I say will do that justice.”

He wasn't alone. When asked what he will take away from the season, Jaylen Reed said, “I can't really answer that right now. I've got my mind on a lot of things right now. One thing I'll take away from this is the brotherhood that we have here. I don't take that for granted.” “If it's the team's last football game, things will be different.”

“That will come up later,” Thomas added, “but for now I feel like I’m stuck with Notre Dame.”

So the coaches tried to put the season in context.

“Everyone here appreciates how their business is doing,” Kotelnicki said. “They really have a growth mindset and a commitment to improving every day. It's hard work, but I hope they know it's appreciated. It's unique to see.”

When asked what he wanted his players to know, Allen said, “That the team made history and they were part of a special, special group. It's easy to overlook that now. No one wants to hear that now. There's a lot in this locker room. “There were injuries and rightly so, but I want them to be remembered as one of the best defenses in the country and one of the best defenses in Penn State history.”