Neal Brown addresses Penn State scoring late touchdown despite big lead

Penn State showed no mercy in its 38-15 win over West Virginia on Saturday. Up 31-15 with just six seconds left in the game, the Nittany Lions pounded in another touchdown. After the game, West Virginia head coach Neal Brown discussed Penn State’s controversial decision.

“Who cares? Here’s the thing, I took timeouts,” Brown said. “I wouldn’t have done it but it doesn’t bother me. I just think stuff like that comes around and goes around. At some point, it’ll come back around. When? I don’t know. But, it doesn’t both me. I’m not upset about it.”

The scoreboard wasn’t the only place Penn State exerted its dominance. The team also boasted 478 total yards compared to WVU’s 308. The difference was especially noticeable in the air, where the Nittany Lions recorded twice as many passing yards as the Mountaineers.

Penn State can thank quarterback Drew Allar. The former five-star recruit performed as advertised on Saturday, boasting 325 passing yards and three touchdowns while throwing zero interceptions. Despite being outmatched, the Mountaineers have nothing to be ashamed of.

The Mountaineers’ defense forced Penn State to work for each score. Unfortunately for WVU, PSU’s workers are exceptional. On the other side of the ball, WVU QB Garrett Greene was solid, committing no turnovers in the contest.

James Franklin’s point of view

After the game, Penn State head coach James Franklin discussed his decision to continue his offensive attack late in the contest.

“To get the second offense in there and the backup quarterback in there and for them to be able to move the ball down the field and get a score was big,” Franklin said. “So, a lot to build on, a lot to correct. I thought we were inconsistent in all three phases.”

As for West Virginia, Franklin gave Brown and Greene props after the game.

“I thought for the most part, our guys handled [the game] and you just never truly know what you’re going to get in an opening game,” Franklin said. “Are they going to be similar to how they were last year now that Neil was calling the offense? Had they gone and done some type of study on our offense and defense, had gone to some type of defensive front or coverage that we hadn’t really been able to see on film, so you never truly know what you’re going to get the opening game in college football.

“I was pleased with how we handled a lot of different looks and a lot of variety and variation that again, about [Greene], I think he’s gonna have a good year. I think he’s going to cause problems for a lot of people from my vantage point.”