Penn State still has New Year's Six hopes; Chop Robinson shined, more of what they're saying

Penn State earned its ninth win of the season on Saturday when it beat Rutgers 27-6. It was not the Lions best game of the year. But, they did what they needed to do to beat back an overmatched foe, even with the team’s starting quarterback sidelined for a majority of the second half.

?For me, no matter what the circumstance the standard doesn’t change,” safety Kevin Winston Jr., said. t’s the same week every week and you have to apply yourself the same. Just because we lost a game doesn’t mean, ‘oh this game we lose.’ It’s always every week, and each week, we take in that game no matter if it’s a win, we take that win, or if it’s a loss, you take in that loss. The next day you’re right back to the next goal, the next team that you’re playing against and apply that.”

Here is what is being said locally and nationally after the latest Lions victory.

Penn State kept its New Year’s Six bowl hopes alive

Penn State was projected to make a New Year’s Six bowl before it beat Rutgers. It will be again this week, too, and a win against Michigan State would all but guarantee a return to one of the country’s top postseason destinations. That was the silver lining in a win that was likely unfulfilling for many fans.

“Despite how ugly Saturday’s game was, Penn State has kept its New Year’s Six bowl chances in a good spot,” Jon Sauber writes for The Centre Daily Times. “The Nittany Lions need to win their matchup with Michigan State next week but, as of now, it would be a surprise if they aren’t playing in a prestigious bowl.

“They came in at No. 12 in the most recent College Football Playoff rankings, giving them an opportunity to finish in the top 10 if they get some help. The Nittany Lions have two very good losses, falling to top-5 teams in Michigan and Ohio State, giving them as good of a resume as any two-loss team in the country. If they hold on next week against the Spartans, a trip to the Peach Bowl, Cotton Bowl or Fiesta Bowl should be in the cards a year after they played in the Rose Bowl.”

Read the full story here.

Chop Robinson shined

PennLive’s Bob Flounders focused on defensive end Chop Robinson. In what will likely be his final game at Beaver Stadium, the Maryland native finished with five tackles (two for loss), a sack, a forced fumble, and a quarterback hurry in the win.

“Robinson, the Lions’ standout edge rusher, made the play of the game after Penn State (9-2) increased its lead to 13-6 on Alex Felkins’ 48-yard field with 5:32 left in the third quarter,” Flounders writes. The book on Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsatt is he can be a problem as a runner, but not as a passer. Wimsatt produced the Knights’ longest play of the day in the first half, running for 22 yards.

“But now down seven, Rutgers (6-5) tried to make something happen through the air. Later in the third, Wimsatt attempted to pass on a second-and-six play from the Lions’ 47. Robinson, aligned wide on the left side of PSU’s defense, flew by Rutgers offensive tackle Reggie Sutton and blasted Wimsatt, jarring the ball loose at the Knights’ 42. Penn State scored five plays later on Kaytron Allen’s second touchdown, a 2-yard run.”

Read the full story here.

What comes next for the Penn State offense?

That’s the question Audrey Snyder asks for The Athletic after Beau Pribula replaced an injured Drew Allar in the third quarter due to injury.

“Allar completed 6-of-13 passes for 79 yards,” Snyder writes. “He remained on the sideline the rest of the game, but when he tried to raise his right arm above his chest, he kept wincing and was unable to do so. The quarterback’s health to his throwing arm becomes a huge storyline as Penn State heads to Detroit to wrap up the regular season against Michigan State.”

Read the full story here.

Final word

We wrap up with Nate Bauer’s initial reactions for Blue-White Illustrated.

“Like it or not, elements of Penn State football’s 2023 season have been trying,” Bauer writes. “Holding onto the loftiest of aspirations, the Nittany Lions’ campaign has not been marred by any particularly noteworthy bad luck or misfortune. Rather, when put to the task of accomplishing the biggest hurdles, they’ve simply fallen short. 

“It was within that vein that Penn State attempted to move forward this week. That began with the Sunday dismissal of offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. It continued through the week as the program attempted not only to function better offensively but also get over the latest setback. This time falling 24-15 to Michigan, the College Football Playoff window closing with it, the program was left to carry on against a motivated Rutgers team that has challenged even the best opponents on its schedule all season. Under those circumstances, the Nittany Lions didn’t back down.”

Read the full story here.