Penn State found something it was missing in Drew Allar, boosts its playoff chances by beating USC, and more of what they're saying

LOS ANGELES — No. 4 Penn State could move up in the polls today after knocking out USC 33-30 in an instant overtime classic at the LA Memorial Coliseum on Saturday. The Nittany Lions outgained the Trojans 518-409 and performed well in yet another second half to put themselves in position for Ryan Barker’s walk-off 36-yard field goal.

Here’s what is being said about the Lions locally and nationally following the win.

Penn State found a leader in Drew Allar

That’s what Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports writes. Drew Allar was 30 of 43 (70 percent) for 391 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions, though the last one was a Hail Mary at the end of regulation. It was easily his best win as a Nittany Lion, and showed what he can do in Andy Kotelnicki’s offense.

“But at the end of a wild shootout that kept Penn State among the nation’s elite, Allar became the leader, the talent and the difference in a 33-30 overtime win over the Trojans,” Dodd writes.

“It was time for Penn State to have bigger hopes than being the third-best program in the Big Ten behind Michigan and Ohio State. We’ll find out more about that later; Michigan isn’t on the schedule but Ohio State visits Happy Valley on Nov. 2. 

“When the Buckeyes make that trip, they’ll have to deal with a gunslinger in blue and white. Allar earned that label, among others on Saturday. Turnovers be damned.”

Read the full story here.

Penn State reverses the script in win over USC

That’s the take of USA Today columnist Jordan Mendoza, who also writes that, obviously, the Lions increased their chances of making the College Football Playoff by knocking off the Trojans.

“Not only was the victory over USC helpful in ending the narrative of faltering when the lights shine bright, it was the first major step toward Penn State claiming one of the 12 spots in the newly expanded playoff,” Mendoza writes. “Had the current system been in place when the playoff was introduced in 2014, the Nittany Lions would’ve likely been in six of them, leaving Happy Valley wishing it had the expanded opportunity. Now, it’s right for the taking.

“Of course, there’s the heavily anticipated home matchup against Ohio State in three weeks. Even though Nittany Lions fans would love to break the seven-game losing skid to the Buckeyes, a loss is no longer the end of the world. And that includes if it means getting shut out of the Big Ten title game again.”

Read the full story here.

The Lions’ defense rose to the occasion when it mattered most

That’s what PennLive’s Bob Flounders writes. Penn State was terrific on defense after halftime. It shut down USC at almost every turn during the third and fourth quarters en route to earning a statement victory.

“The national rankings for the Penn State defense took a hit on Saturday. The Lions won’t be No. 4 in total defense entering their bye week, and they won’t be No. 4 in FBS in fewest rushing yards allowed (76.2),” Flounders writes.

“But PSU is 6-0 and firmly in the hunt for a spot in the college football playoff because of what the Lions’ defense did on USC’s final two possessions.”

Read the full story here.

Final word

It goes to BWI’s Nate Bauer this week, who writes that the Lions trusted Drew Allar to lead them to victory late in the game and vice versa.

“If it wasn’t clear, it should be now,” Bauer writes. “Penn State wants Drew Allar to have the ball in his hands with the game on the line. Penn State head coach James Franklin didn’t need to say so publicly following the game. Rather, he did as much in his actions in the fourth quarter.

“Needing a touchdown to tie the Trojans with less than five minutes to play, Franklin faced a crticial decision. His Nittany Lion defense had just allowed a nine-play touchdown drive spanning all 75-yards. His The Nittany Lion offense, meanwhile, had just scored two touchdowns and a field goal on three of its four second-half possessions.”

Read the full story here.