Ahead of the Orange Bowl between Notre Dame and Penn State, there was concern over whether or not star pass rusher Abdul Carter would be able to play.

“This guy is a warrior, he loves his coaches and his team, he would fight to win the championship no matter how much was at risk,” his NIL representative Drew Rosenhaus said earlier this week on the “Pat McAfee Show.” 

“I was at the last game where he hurt his shoulder and the guy went out there and tried to play with one arm. If he can play tonight, he will. There is no discussion about don’t put out bad tape, no thought about risk of injury. He’s going to give it his all for Penn State, his teammates deserve that, that’s who he is, that’s how he was raised by his parents, and that’s what makes him great.”

Oct 5, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin talks with an official during the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images

Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images

Thankfully for Penn State, the talented defensive end/linebacker hybrid was able to suit up. Carter made quite a bit of noise in the first half and may have stopped Notre Dame’s first points of the game if it weren’t for a potential missed holding call.

Fans weren’t too pleased with what they saw from the officials during the play.

“Failure to call holding gives a decided advantage to the weaker unit. It’s not just ‘let em play’ because it artificially neutralizes a huge part of why Penn State is good It’s literally not fair,” one account said.

“We watch this every week in Ohio State games. We haven’t seen a hold since the summer no exaggerating,” said an Ohio State fan.

“Criminal NO CALL, and Notre Dame is still getting dominated on the line of scrimmage!” added another.

“I want one holding call tonight. Just one. It’s been absurd all game long,” offered another.

Notre Dame opened the second half with a touchdown drive to even the score at 10.