The Lions247 team has its finger on the pulse of Penn State transfer portal news, recruiting, coaching staff moves and more after James Franklin's squad was eliminated in the semifinals of the College

The Penn State football roster that shined in the College Football Playoff semifinals and produced the most wins in school history will return a serious core of contributors. Foundationally, the Nittany Lions appear in about as good of shape as possible heading into preparations for a 2025 season with even greater expectations.

Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton (6-5, 266) was a force opposite Abdul Carter and could wind up on multiple preseason All-America teams. Dennis-Sutton had eight sacks, 13 tackles for loss, nine quarterback hurries, an interception and two fumble recoveries last year.

For years, Penn State had a pair of popular cheers, “The Nittany Lion” and "Short Yell State.” In the mid-1970s, according to Penn State historian Lou Prato, the Nittany Lions’ cheerleaders were awed when making road trips with the team to Ohio State and USC, both of which used call-and-response cheers among fans to liven the in-stadium atmosphere.

Penn State’s 2024 season has come to a disappointing close with a loss to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl. Now it’s time to turn the page and look at the good, the bad and the ugly of the current state of Penn State football.

Penn State football has a few culprits for Thursday's heartbreaking Orange Bowl loss to a gritty Notre Dame team

The Nittany Lions are one of the few teams still fighting for the first National Championship of the 12-team College Football Playoff era. How many titles have they won before?

Notre Dame kicker Mitch Jeter connected on a 41-yard field goal with seven seconds left in the fourth quarter, propelling the Fighting Irish past the Nittany Lions. The kick came six plays after Penn State quarterback Drew Allar threw an interception with 33 seconds left in the fourth frame, setting Notre Dame up at Penn State's 42-yard line.

Both quarterbacks knew their final season of college football could still be a special one even after their teams endured difficult setbacks.

Ohio State’s defense is ranked No. 1 overall and No. 3 against the run. The Buckeyes have outscored playoff opponents Tennessee, Oregon and Texas 111-52, and have limited them to 62.3 yards a game rushing (1.9 yards a carry).

Last national championship: 1988. Did you know: Notre Dame players have won the Heisman Trophy seven times (tied with Ohio State and Ok

The national championship game is nearly here. Ohio State is going for its first national title since the end of the 2014 season. The Buckeyes beat Alabama and Oregon with third-string QB Cardale Jones to win the first four-team College Football Playoff. A win on Monday night would make Ohio State the first 12-team CFP champion.