Penn State pushes past early miscues, rocks Minnesota: Highs and Lows

In the wake of a disappointing effort for Penn State at Michigan, the start of the Nittany Lions’ game with Minnesota on Saturday night didn’t help ease frustrations. The Penn State offense stalled again, a Sean Clifford interception helped deliver easy points to the Gophers, and fans at Beaver Stadium for the White Out let everyone know their displeasure.

Then, it clicked.

Clifford found his tight ends, the Minnesota defense wilted, and the Nittany Lions cruised to a 45-17 win. Though there were speed bumps along the way, including a late first-half letdown defensively, Penn State ultimately improved to 6-1 on the season with the win. It sets up a showdown back at Beaver Stadium next week between the Nittany Lions and unbeaten Ohio State (noon, FOX).

Before looking ahead to the Buckeyes, here is a look at the highs and lows from Penn State’s win over the Gophers:

PLAYER OF THE GAME Sean Clifford didn’t start particularly well in his final White Out game played at Beaver Stadium. His work in the second and third quarters made up for it, though. Completing 16 of his 20 last 20 passes to close the game, four of which went for touchdowns, Clifford engineered a revamped offensive attack in the blowout win.

PLAY OF THE GAME Following an end-of-half letdown, Penn State’s opening stanza of the third quarter clapped back. Punctuating the defensive stop and offensive response, Clifford and Parker Washington produced a beauty of a 35-yard touchdown pass and catch to take a 24-10 lead. 

BEST PASS Clifford had a few Saturday night, but none were nicer than his needle-threading shot to Tyler Warren late in the first half. Connecting with the Nittany Lion tight end for an 18-yard touchdown, Clifford split the defense and put the ball perfectly to lead Warren untouched into the end zone. 

WORST PASS Clifford’s second-and-long deep ball to Washington late in the first quarter wasn’t particularly close. Minnesota corner Justin Walley made a nice play on the ball, not only catching it but returning it 37 yards to Penn State’s 14 to set up the Gophers’ first points of the game. 

BEST RUN Nicholas Singleton didn’t have to do much more than just be fast on his third-quarter touchdown carry. But, that, he did, as he raced 16 yards untouched to give the Nittany Lions a 31-10 advantage midway through the period. Mo Ibrahim’s 13-yard carry down to the goal line deserves a nod here, too.

BEST CATCH Facing something of an avalanche of momentum working against them, Minnesota’s 33-yard completion from Athan Kaliakmanis to Lemeke Brockington shifted the momentum of the game. Facing a third-and-8 on the play from its 12-yard line, the connection freed the Gophers from their field position conundrum and, six plays later led to a Mo Ibrahim touchdown. 

BEST SACK Abdul Carter and Daquan Hardy combined for a key third-down sack of Kaliakmanis in the first half. The 1-yard loss forced Minnesota into a punt, a change of possession that Penn State cashed in on when Clifford hit Warren for a 38-yard touchdown. 

BEST HIT Joey Porter Jr. didn’t quite get to Kaliakmanis in time on his third-quarter blitz. But, ’twas enough to unload on the Minnesota quarterback, who airmailed a deep pass well over the head of his receiver off his back foot. 

BEST EFFORT Penn State linebacker Dom DeLuca provided a boost to the Penn State offense when he tipped Minnesota’s opening punt of the second half. The pure effort play left the Nittany Lions with possession at the 36. 

BEST KICK Jake Pinegar sent home a 41-yard field goal early in the second quarter to even the score at 3-3. 

BEST RETURN Minnesota receiver Michael Brown-Stephens tripped, Ji’Ayir Brown stepped in front of the pass, and 35 yards later, the result was big for Penn State. The interception and return delivered prime field position to the Nittany Lions with 9 minutes and change left in the third quarter.

BEST DECISION Knowing the plan, what defenses are doing, or how to best exploit a weakness, isn’t always cut and dry. But, with a tight end room James Franklin insisted was among the best in the country languishing without production in recent weeks, including two of its brightest talents in Theo Johnson and Tyler Warren, a change was needed for Penn State’s offense. Mike Yurcich and Clifford delivered to that end, finding both players frequently. 

WORST DECISION A streaker made his way onto the field of play late in the game, Penn State leading 45-17 with 4:13 to play. By the time a photographer, who made the initial tackle, and five police offers were done with him, he was being escorted shirtless out of the stadium.

MOST TELLING MOMENT Coming up short on third-and-5 on the first possession of the evening, Penn State’s offense lined up to go for fourth-and-short from its 34-yard line. The problem? The punt team was on its way onto the field. The result of the miscommunication was an illegal procedure penalty and, more noteworthy, a hailstorm of boos from Beaver Stadium.