Highs & Lows: Penn State comes up short in Big Ten title game

By Nate Bauer

INDIANAPOLIS – Penn State spent its Saturday night clash with No. 1 Oregon fighting back from a deep first-half deficit, unable to ever get over the hump. The result, a 45-37 win for the Ducks, sent the No. 3-ranked Nittany Lions to an 11-2 record on the year with a Big Ten runner-up finish.

These are the high and low moments that defined the game:

Highs & Lows: Penn State falls short in B1G Championship loss to Oregon

PLAYER OF THE GAME One player on the field did more to dictate the game’s outcome than any other, and it was Oregon receiver Tez Johnson. Finishing the Ducks’ 45-37 win with 11 catches for 181 yards and a touchdown, the senior transfer from Troy rivaled his best performances of the season.

PLAY OF THE GAME Eyeing a game-tying shot at the end zone in the final two minutes, Drew Allar floated a pass deep down the sideline toward Trey Wallace as he ran alongside cornerback Nikko Reed. Grabbing at Wallace’s shoulder pads, Reed released, leapt, and pulled in an incredible interception to take possession for the Ducks. The play effectively ended the Nittany Lions’ shot at tying the game. 

Offensive superlatives

BEST PASS In the moment, the Allar-to-Wallace connection was significant for its own reason. But, upon replay, Allar’s step-up into a collapsing pocket, throwing off an unsteady platform, and hitting Wallace across the middle for 16 yards and a first down on third-and-15 was massive. Leading eventually to a Nick Singleton touchdown, it was a crucial signaling of the Nittany Lions’ attempts to keep up with Oregon’s explosive offense.

WORST PASS In a game already on the brink, disaster struck in full when Allar targeted tight end Khalil Dinkins on second-and-10 from the shadow of his end zone. Thrown behind Dinkins, the ball instead wound up in the hands of Duck defender Dontae Manning, who captured the interception and returned it all 24 yards across the field for the near-pick-six. Converted on the next play, a Jordan James 1-yard TD plunge, the play put the Nittany Lions behind 

BEST RUN Desperately needing stabilization in the wake of Oregon’s authoritative first touchdown of the night, Penn State running back Nick Singleton provided it. Capitalizing on the critical first-down pass from Drew Allar to Tyler Warren, Singleton took the next carry through the heart of the Ducks’ defense, galloping for a 41-yard gain into the fringe red zone. The play set up a Ryan Barker field goal. 

BEST CATCH Needing a fourth-down play to have any chance to stay in the game, Drew Allar and Trey Wallace provided it. In the grasp of an Oregon defender, Allar squeezed through to fire between two defensive backs. And Wallace made the grab. Good for a touchdown, the play pulled the Nittany Lions to a 45-37 deficit in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

WORST DROP The moment slipped through Tyler Warren’s hands. A remarkable season in every sense for the Nittany Lions’ tight end, his separation for a throw deep down the field at the end of the first quarter was for naught as the clean pass and path toward the end zone were upended by a flat-out drop. 

Defensive superlatives

BEST SACK The Nittany Lions’ vaunted pass rush put pressure on Dillon Gabriel but failed to create the game-changing sacks needed to redirect the course of the game. Instead, by the final whistle, only one sack was recorded for Penn State, a shared stop from Dvon J-Thomas and Amin Vanover.  

BEST HIT With Oregon’s offense rolling down the field with ease on its first possession of the evening, Penn State desperately needed to push the Ducks out of rhythm. Zion Tracy did that. Tracking a direct snap to Noah Whittington, the Nittany Lions’ sophomore corner met the ballcarrier in the backfield, driving him into the turf for a 5-yard loss.

BEST EFFORT The very next play, the Ducks quickly shed off the setback. Directing a pitch-and-catch from Gabriel to Kenyon Sadiq, the simple pass play and likely first down transformed into a highlight reel play as the tight end hurdled Jalen Kimber. Finding his footing after the leap, Sadiq trotted the rest of the way into the end zone to complete a 28-yard touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. 

Special teams superlatives

BEST KICK Already holding onto a 38-24 advantage over Penn State as the final minutes of the third quarter closed in, Oregon punter Luke Dunne did his side a solid with an expert coffin corner punt. Booming 42 yards through the air, the effort stuck the Nittany Lions with needing to go 97 yards.

WORST KICK Entering the Big Ten Championship having connected on 11 of 13 kicks for the season, Barker’s excellence lapsed momentarily in the third quarter. Lining up for a 40-yard field goal attempt from the left hash, the kick had plenty of leg, but sailed wide right.

Wrapping up

WORST DECISION Penn State’s personal foul penalties would have landed in this space were it not for the considerably difficult show put on by the game’s officiating crew. Calling just three penalties against the Ducks including a delay of game, a personal foul, and a pass interference, their flag swallowing was its own conversation. But, no decision was worse than the side judge’s inability to recognize a fourth quarter reception made by Omari Evans.

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