Highs and Lows: Penn State's Blue-White Game

The Penn State Nittany Lions football program did its best to give fans a show Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium.

The first spring game in front of a full set of fans, announced at 62,000 in attendance, Penn State’s final results were mixed. A 17-13 win for the defense over the offense, with a modified scoring system difficult to discern, there was good, some bad, and everything in between.

Here, a recap of the highs and lows from the event:

Penn State Highs & Lows

PLAYER OF THE GAME Linebacker Dom DeLuca had a whale of a game for Penn State. Making two interceptions and a sack, DeLuca was a consistent presence throughout the afternoon for the Nittany Lion defense.

PLAY OF THE GAME With Christian Veilleux at quarterback in 7-on-7 action, Harrison Wallace made a leaping catch for a touchdown that was the nicest of the day for Penn State’s receiving crew. The ball was thrown slightly behind him, Wallace’s grab earned the deserved praise of Franklin. 

BEST PASS This one might be good enough to win the catch nod as well, but Beau Pribula’s pass 35-yard pass downfield to Mason Stahl was a beauty. Beating Daequan Hardy at the line of scrimmage, Pribula hit Stahl in stride over the shoulder for the big pickup. 

WORST PASS Drew Allar had Omari Evans streaking up the sideline for what might have been an easy touchdown had the true freshman’s pass not sailed too high overhead. A missed opportunity, Allar’s throw looked effortless nonetheless. 

BEST RUN The Nittany Lions were running out of time to fulfill this option, but true freshman Kaytron Allen came through late to meet the moment. On a first-and-10 from the 45-yard line, Allen took Sean Clifford’s handoff and burst through a nice hole in the line for an 11-yard pickup. Later, Devyn Ford produced a 16-yard carry in 2-minute drill work. Ford ran hard throughout the segment, inviting contact from Jaylen Reed 12 yards downfield.

BEST CATCH The afternoon’s first reception was one of the nicest of the day for Penn State’s receivers. Patient in the pocket, Veilleux connected with a leaping Jaden Dottin for a 2-point conversion in the back of the end zone. 

WORST DROP Omari Evans couldn’t reel in a well-placed pass over the middle from Allar, delivering an easy interception to corner Ethan Sussen in the 7-on-7 format. Jerry Cross gets a nod here as well for his flat-out drop in 7-on-7 work late in the first half at the sideline.

BEST SACK DeLuca got to Allar quickly on a free blitz from the edge. Without needing to bring down the quarterback, and not allowed in the first place, the tag was good for an easy sack for DeLuca to give the defense a 10-7 lead. 

BEST INTERCEPTION DeLuca made a terrific play in 7-on-7 work to collect an interception, pulling the ball away from Kaden Saunders in the middle of the field. 

BEST HIT The first play of the second half was a big one for defensive tackle Dvon Ellies. Blowing through the Nittany Lion offensive line, Ellies quickly snatched up Singleton for a short loss. 

BEST EFFORT The play came in 7-on-7 action late in the first half, but Clifford’s pass to Keyvone Lee for a short touchdown was on-the-money. Maybe more important, it was the result of Clifford extending the play with his legs moving to his right. A perfect throw and catch. 

BEST KICK Sander Sahaydak easily sent through a 47-yard field goal late in the scrimmage. It showed the leg that was expected out of the redshirt freshman placekicker. He’d knock through a 49-yarder, too, before the end of the scrimmage.

BEST RETURN There were no returns Saturday, but Marquis Wilson was among the first Nittany Lions back on a punt return when that was the unit being worked late in the first half of the scrimmage. A potential look at what’s to come for the Nittany Lions this fall? 

BEST DECISION Going for it on fourth-and-1 proved fruitful for the Penn State offense on its first possession of the day. Plowing ahead, running back Keyvone Lee secured the first down and kept the offense on the field for a touchdown two plays later when Mitchell Tinsley cashed in on a 13-yard screen pass.

WORST DECISION Evan Clark’s jumping 7-on-7 touchdown catch would have been good, were it not for the replay of right foot glancing against the sideline. An otherwise very nice reception, the effort wasn’t good for anything.

MOST TELLING MOMENT With the game on the line, Pribula’s pass to Evans in the back of the end zone looked like a touchdown with a spectacular catch. Standout spring safety Zakee Wheatley made a nice play to break the reception loose, finishing off a 17-13 win for the defense. 

DID YOU NOTICE Former Nittany Lion standouts were everywhere Saturday. Micah Parsons, Yetur Gross-Matos, Jahan Dotson, LaVar Arrington, and Pat Freiermuth were among the players interviewed from the sideline during the game.