Our boys gave me a scare tonight but – bumps, bruises and all – Penn State preserved their perfect season with a 28-13 win at Camp Randall.
The Nittany Lions climb to 7-0 despite QB Drew Allar watching the entire second half from under a towel on the sideline. Dani Dennis-Sutton was also hurt in this game – he tried to go for Penn Stat in the second half but vinyl lasted one snap. Starting RT Anthony Donkoh was also unable to finish this game.
Despite of how uphill the battle seemed to get, Penn State came through in a way #3-ranked teams must.
Let’s talk Biggest Winners:
RB Nick Singleton
Rec: 3 rec, 37 yds, 1 TD
Rush: 12 rush, 49 yds
In addition to the TD snag shown above that speaks for itself, Singleton set up that TD opportunity with a 27-yard catch-and-scamper on a crossing check-down.
Nobody was happier for Nick than Drew after that catch. You could read his lips say “WOW” when the camera cut to him amidst that celebration. Drew’s lips were caught saying something a little more PG-13 (as long as you only say it once!) to a Wisconsin fan who mocked his injury just before the half.
The most impressive part of Nick’s performance tonight is he clearly isn’t 100% himself out there. That tummy ache that held him out of the USC game may have been more significant than it seems. The last two weeks he’s tallied 22 rushes for 75 yards – almost 3.5 yards per carry.
Singleton has still been effective in space, as a receiver out of the backfield (7 rec, 76 yds, 2 TDs) but he’s struggled between the tackles. We’re going to need his best self next Saturday against Ohio State.
QB Beau Pribula
Passing: 11/13, 98 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: 6 att, 28 yds
I think we can all agree it’s fun seeing a Beau Pribula package every now and then. I don’t think any of us want to see him taking snaps full-time
His throw to Liam Clifford for 23 yards with about 5 minutes left in the game might have sealed it for the Lions.
A few snaps later, Kotelnicki brought Vega Ioane in motion from the top of the screen. Everyone – including the commentators – had seen the highlight from UCLA; they were expecting something similar to that.
Instead, Beau pulled the string on the changeup, pulled the ball back from Kaytron’s tummy and bent around the edge. Ioane bluffed the sift block (split zone run) but instead of hitting the kick-out block he went around the outside, ostensibly as a lead blocker.
Kotelnicki called this same play before – in the Illinois game (the first clip in this tweet). It wasn’t quite as clean this time (you’d like to see Beau real tight to Ioane’s backside there) but it’s just a matter of time til we’re treated to Vega blowing up a safety on the edge and Beau dancing right into the end zone.
S Jaylen Reed
1 INT, 1 TD RET
3/3 XP
Jaylen Reed was already shouldering more than his fair share with personnel losses in the safety room. Tonight he had to take on even more responsibility, helping prop up the Penn State offense in Drew Allar’s absence.
In addition to the pick six he was also in on a TFL, and nearly reeled in a second pick late in the game.
Also: shoutout to S Zakee Wheatley for a team-leading 10 tackles.
DT Alonzo Ford
2 TFLs
Ford missed the USC game, but he’s following up his 7-tackle showing fro the UCLA game with 2 TFLs on one drive. The first of which – the more emphatic of the two – is shown above.
The senior Old Dominion transfer has shined in limited opportunities. Size was a desperate need on this defensive line and his 319 pounds are a nice anchor inside.
Bonus: he can also slide well and play the run laterally – as evidenced above.
CamBlackburnWrites 