Watch James Franklin's postgame press conference following Penn State's win over USC
LOS ANGELES — The last time Penn State head coach James Frankin hosted a postgame press conference after facing USC, it came after his team blew a 14-point lead heading into the fourth quarter on one of the game’s biggest stages. Saturday’s game wasn’t the Rose Bowl, but the Nittany Lions were able to flip the script.
Down two touchdowns at halftime, Penn State did what it’s done all season, putting together another excellent third quarter, outscoring USC 14-3 to bring the game within a field goal. But little did we know that the drama was just getting started.
After kicker Ryan Barker converted a 20-yard field goal to tie the game with 10:50 left, both offenses converted 75-yard drives to leave the game tied 30-30 with just a few minutes remaining. USC had the opportunity then to put the game away, but a Jaylen Reed interception with just a few seconds on the clock ultimately saw the game go into overtime.
Highs & Lows: Penn State edges USC in thrilling, 33-30 OT win
Penn State’s defense had just one three-and-out throughout the entire game, but they stepped up when the game mattered the most. Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton recorded a key tackle for loss on second down during USC’s possession, which was followed by an incompletion to set up a 45-yard attempt for the Trojans. Kicker Michael Lantz converted three attempts earlier in the game, including two from a similar distance, but he ultimately missed his kick when it mattered the most.
The Nittany Lions made sure not to let the opportunity slip by, setting up Barker for a 36-yard game-winner. It was his fourth make of the day after just recently being named the starter.
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“Great story [for] Ryan Barker,” Franklin said during his postgame press conference. “Walks-on at Penn State and the opportunity knocks and he’s ready. To me, that’s what our country is about. That’s what the game of football, I think, teaches. He earned the starting job, then lost the starting job. Then, he comes here and is 4 for 4 on the road [and gets] the game-winning field goal there in overtime. Ryan ‘Cold as Ice’ Barker is what I’m calling him. I’m really proud of him.”
Key Takeaways: Tyler Warren shines in Penn State’s overtime win vs. USC
Penn State finished the game with 518 yards of offense, including 400 yards passing. Quarterback Drew Allar totaled 391 yards passing and two touchdowns, but it was Tyler Warren who stood out the most, totaling 17 receptions for 224 yards and a touchdown. That’s a new school record for total receiving yards for tight ends and the second-most receiving yards ever for a Penn State player.
“I’ve been talking about him being the best tight end in college football, but the reality is he’s now part of the conversation of being one of the best players in all of college football,” Franklin said about Warren.
