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Coordinators Tom Allen and Andy Kotelnicki recap Penn State's College Football Playoff win over SMU

Mug-Shot 4x4by:Ryan Snyder•12/21/24•

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Penn State coordinators Tom Allen and Andy Kotelnicki recap the win over SMU to advance in the College Football Playoff. (Credit: USA Today)

STATE COLLEGE – Penn State is set for a showdown with Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl 10 days from now, as the Nittany Lions rolled over SMU Saturday in the first round of the College Football Playoff. With a crowd of over 106,000 fans braving the cold weather to support the Lions, Penn State cruised to a relatively easy victory over the ACC newcomer, winning 38-10.

Offensively, PSU totaled 24 points and 325 yards, but it was the defense that kickstarted everything, forcing SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings to throw three first-half interceptions, two of which led to linebackers Tony Rojas and Dominic Deluca converting touchdowns. DeLuca also saved the Nittany Lions a few drives later, tipping the ball at the line of scrimmage before coming down with the ball in what would’ve been at least three points, if not more.

“What a testament to his grit and toughness, coming here as a walk-on and earning a scholarship and becoming a really, really good player for us,” said defensive coordinator Tom Allen when asked about DeLuca. “You talk about just the savviness and being one of the smartest players I’ve ever coached. He spends so much time studying, preparing. He anticipates really, really well. Obviously, he had [two] huge takeaways, two picks, one for a touchdown that were just so monumental today.”

Highs & Lows: Penn State whips Mustangs en route to CFP win

After allowing a 49-yard drive that resulted in a turnover on downs to open the game, Penn State’s defense didn’t allow a drive over 24 yards the rest of the first half. They also totaled 11 tackles for loss and three sacks, many of which came at some of the most crucial moments in the game.

As for the offense, the first quarter wasn’t the best, but they finished with two straight touchdown drives in the second quarter to give Penn State a 28-0 lead at halftime. SMU’s rushing defense came into the game ranked top five in the country, and while they did limit Penn State early on, Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen each finished the game averaging more than 6 yards per carry. Singleton led the team in rushing – 90 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown – while Allen had 70 yards on 11 carries and two scores.

“We’ve talked a lot in the past about their abilities and how hard they run and the way that they’ve been complimenting each other so well in the run game,” said offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki when asked about the run game. “But then, it starts up front. I think James [Franklin] has probably commented up here; these games, in this kind of weather, in this time of the year, you need to win up front. You need to have great O-Line and D-Line play and that’s how we’re going to continue to advance.”

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