Penn State rankled Maryland with late score; Lions-Ducks could be Big Ten title game 'thriller' and more of what they're saying

Penn State is being discussed locally and nationally after beating Maryland 44-7 on Saturday to punch their ticket to the Big Ten title game. The No. 4 Nittany Lions will face No. 1 Oregon on Saturday in Indianapolis. College Football Playoff seeding implications are on the line along with the league crown.

“It was a win on Senior Day which is always emotional for me,” Lions coach James Franklin said. “I got emotional at breakfast this morning talking to the guys. Senior Day is an emotional day for me, you’re with these guys for four, five or even six years. I’m a coach that loves them hard, but also coaches them hard and I hold them accountable. Just to think about some of the journeys I’ve been on with these guys is a lot. I’m very proud of them.”

Here’s what is being said about the Lions’ latest win and its postseason future.

Ducks-Lions could be a thriller

That’s the take of CBS college football writer Dennis Dodd, who covered the pending matchup in a Saturday night story.

“In one sense, this game is for College Football Playoff seeding, as both teams are likely in regardless of the result inside Lucas Oil Stadium Saturday in Indianapolis,” he writes. “While that’s a heck of a safety net, Oregon and Penn State go into Tuesday’s penultimate College Football Playoff Rankings at Nos. 1 and 4, respectively. 

“Given Oregon and Penn State’s résumés thus far, it could be a thrilling Big Ten Championship Game with plenty on the line!”

Read the full story here.

Penn State late score ‘rankles’ Maryland

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg wrote about the late-game theatrics. Beau Pribula hit Tyseer Denmark for a touchdown as time expired. James Franklin defended it and Mike Locksley called it “bullshit.” Both sides will clearly have to agree to disagree.

“Maryland coach Mike Locksley took issue with Penn State throwing a touchdown pass on the final play of Saturday’s 44-7 PSU win and let his counterpart James Franklin know about it,” Rittenberg writes.

“Locksley and Franklin had a tense exchange after the game, which ended with Franklin walking away and yelling, “If that’s what you think, that’s fine!”

Read the full story here.

Lions defense dominated Maryland

PennLive’s Bob Flounders elected to focus on the Penn State defense in his postgame column. The Nittany Lions’ pass rush was relentless on Saturday. And, the unit did not allow a single point after the third play of the game.

“Terps quarterback MJ Morris, who started for the injured Billy Edwards Jr., connected with wideout Kaden Prather on a touchdown pass, his only grab of the day,” Flounders writes. “That was about it for the Maryland offense. On its next 50 snaps, it produced just 125 yards against a PSU defense that entered the game allowing an average of just 273.4 yards per contest, No. 5 in FBS.

“Carter had two sacks and a quarterback hurry. Carter has 19.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks this season. Dennis-Sutton had a sack and three quarterback hurries against a Maryland offensive line that was not ready his combination of size and athleticism.”

Read the full story here.

Final word

This week, it goes to Mark Wogenrich of SI. He covered another dazzling day for star Penn State tight end Tyler Warren.

“Penn State tight end Tyler Warren improvised another dazzling moment in the second quarter, leaping over a Maryland defender for another vintage moment,” he writes. “Warren leap over a Maryland defender on an impromptu pitch play from Drew Allar. This was vintage Warren for a gain of 29 yards.

“Warren played another phenomenal game, which included still more records. He caught a 7-yard touchdown from Allar in the second quarter to break Penn State’s single-season record for tight ends with 17. He also completed a pass to Nicholas Singleton. And, he drew a pass-interference penalty near the goal line that led to Penn State’s first touchdown. Warren caught six passes for 68 yards and caried three times for 32.”

Read the full story here.