Highs & Lows: Penn State pulls out all the stops in narrow win

By Nate Bauer

Penn State understood going into its late-season tilt with Minnesota that its task wouldn’t be easy. The Nittany Lions, entering the game ranked No. 4 and sporting a 9-1 record, took the Gophers’ best shot on their Senior Day.

Needing a second-half comeback, a series of critical backs-to-the-wall plays, and one game-winning decision, Penn State passed the test. The result was a 26-25 win for the Nittany Lions heading into their regular-season finale against Maryland next Saturday at Beaver Stadium.

These were the highs and lows from the game:

Highs & Lows: Penn State pulls out all stops, sneaking past Minnesota

PLAYER OF THE GAME Tyler Warren continued his march toward a Heisman ceremony invitation with his eight receptions for 102 yards on Saturday. But he wasn’t alone. Drew Allar wasn’t sharp at times, but his 21 completions on 28 attempts for 244 yards and a touchdown included some massive, game-changing moments. And, not to be forgotten, Nicholas Singleton finished with 13 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown, plus six catches for 37 yards.

PLAY OF THE GAME James Franklin had a decision to make. Ahead by just a point, the Nittany Lions needed 1 yard to maintain possession with 3:47 left to play in the game. 

If the Lions punted, they would be giving Minnesota the ball and relying on their defense to prevent a game-winning field goal opportunity for the Gophers.

If they went for it and failed, the Gophers’ field goal opportunity would already be assured.

Franklin chose to punt. Or, wanted it to look that way, as the Nittany Lions instead directed the snap to freshman tight end Luke Reynolds, who flipped the field with a first down and 32-yard gain.

Following that gutsy play, the Lions succeeded on two more fourth-and-1 conversions to end the game. Effectively doing to Minnesota what Ohio State did at Beaver Stadium three weeks earlier, the Nittany Lions took another significant step toward a first-ever College Football Playoff berth.

Offensive superlatives

BEST PASS Penn State steadied itself defensively, holding Minnesota to a field goal after the Gophers marched to a touchdown on their first possession. But, a boost was desperately needed for the Nittany Lions on the other side of the ball. 

Allar, Omari Evans and Minnesota’s safeties provided it.

Steadily making their way up the field, the Nittany Lions moved into Minnesota’s half and then struck. Hanging back in the pocket waiting for his deep route to open, Allar fired 45 yards downfield to Evans, who emerged from the pack without company. He slipped into the end zone untouched, scoring a touchdown that gave Penn State the momentum it would need to completely reverse course of the game.

BEST RUN Nick Singleton had few opportunities to get going in the first half, but faced with a deficit, the Nittany Lion running back found his lane. Fighting to overtake the Gophers’ lead, Penn State turned to Singleton on an inside draw, which he used to gain 12 yards into the end zone. The play gave Penn State a 23-22 lead with 3:43 left to play in the third quarter.

BEST CATCH The ball from Allar wasn’t perfectly thrown, making Harrison Wallace III’s 18-yard pickup midway through the third quarter a more demanding ask. Looking in the waist-height throw, Wallace caught the pass, moved the chains and pulled Penn State into Minnesota’s half of the field. 

WORST DROP Rolling on its first possession of the afternoon, Minnesota set itself up with prime field position at the Penn State 20. A simple pitch-and-catch from Max Brosmer to Jameson Geers went nowhere when the tight end couldn’t hold onto the pass thrown behind him. Daniel Jackson opened the third quarter with a gimme drop, too, on a screen pass from Brosmer.

Defensive superlatives

BEST SACK With Brosmer looking downfield on first down, Tony Rojas ditched his coverage to gobble up the quarterback for a 4-yard loss.

BEST HIT Minnesota receiver Daniel Jackson made something out of nothing on his third-quarter end around. But, the finish of his carry was met by the game’s most abrupt end. Making his way upfield to the Penn State 22-yard line, Jackson was brought down with furious impact by Nittany Lion linebacker Kobe King.

BEST EFFORT Not only did Dominic DeLuca make a play when the Nittany Lions needed it, he also made more out of it with his extra effort. Intercepting Brosmer on Minnesota’s first and-10 at the Penn State 48 early in the second quarter, DeLuca ran over, around and through the Gophers’ offense en route to a 29-yard return. Penn State needed it, moving backward on the possession but still cashing in with a 45-yard field goal to tie the score at 10-10.

Special teams superlatives

BEST KICK Speaking of that field goal, Ryan Barker’s 45-yard attempt fulfills the category. Stepping up to the task, Barker left no doubt on the connection.

WORST KICK Riley Thompson’s delay proved costly late in the first half. Punting from his end zone, Thompson had his attempt blocked by Derik LeCaptain. Taking over at the Nittany Lions’ 21-yard line, the Gophers needed only one play, a flea flicker, to cash in with a touchdown. 

Wrapping up

BEST DECISION Franklin made a career-defining call in a career-defining moment on Penn State’s fake punt. His choice brings into focus possibilities yet unseen by the Penn State football program under his guidance.

WORST DECISION The late first-half pass interference penalty was to Penn State’s benefit, but it sure looked like a bad call. Allar’s pass to Wallace floated well out of bounds, but the 15-yard penalty propelled the Nittany Lions into Minnesota’s side of the field, where they quickly took advantage. After connecting with Warren and Evans on successive plays, Allar capped the 44-second possession with a 4-yard touchdown run.

MOST TELLING MOMENT Just two plays into the game, Penn State endured a worst-nightmare scenario. Backing up in normal pass protection, starting right tackle Anthony Donkoh crumpled to the turf, rolling over to clutch his right knee. Helped off the field, Donkoh was unable to put much weight on the leg, exiting to the injury tent. Later, he needed crutches to get onto a cart that escorted him to the locker room. Donkoh’s fellow starting offensive lineman Olaivavega Ioane and defensive tackle Alonzo Ford Jr. were also injured on Saturday.

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