ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit weighs in on Penn State’s victory over Wisconsin

Penn State played their first opener against a ranked team under head coach James Franklin on Saturday, and they did not disappoint. 

After an 0-5 start last season, the No. 19 Nittany Lions took down No. 12 Wisconsin 16-10 in Camp Randall Stadium. ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit took to Twitter to comment on just how big the win was for a program looking to have a bounceback season. 

HUGE @PennStateFball win. After last years opening game devastating loss to Indiana Lions needed to find a way to win a tough one in that environment. Momentum builder. Badgers regroup and be more than fine.

— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) September 4, 2021

Franklin shared positive thoughts following the game as well.

“I’m just super proud of the entire team,” Franklin said. “That’s a gutsy win, on the road in a hostile environment.”

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford, who the Nittany Lions need to have a big year, had just 42 yards in the first half after going 7-for-14. He redeemed himself in the latter half of the game, finishing 18-for-33 with 247 yards and a touchdown, including a 49-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jahan Dotson.

Franklin: ‘Our defense played unbelievable’

While the offense showed promising flashes, it was the defense that sealed the game for the Nittany Lions. Wisconsin quarterback Graham Mertz fumbled the ball in the red zone and threw two interceptions on the Badgers’ final two drives. 

Penn State allowed 27.7 points and 329 yards per game last season. While they allowed 359 yards on Saturday, they clearly demonstrated the ability to play a bend-don’t-break defense, something they could not do well last year. They were +3 on turnovers on the day after being -8 in 2020.

“Obviously, our defense played unbelievable,’ Franklin said. 

However, it was not all good for the defense on Saturday. When Penn State faces Ball State next weekend they will be without top linebacker Ellis Brooks. Brooks was ejected from the game in the fourth quarter on a targeting call, and by rule must sit out the first 30 minutes next week.

He led the team with 11 tackles prior to his ejection and added a tackle for loss and a sack as well. He was the only player in the game with double digit tackles. 

“It was a tough call,” Franklin said. “The way I understand the rule is you can’t necessarily call targeting unless you use the crown of your helmet, but I get it. We are going to do everything to protect the student athletes so I get it. It was a tough call for Ellis but I thought he played very well.”