Oct 12, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Beau Pribula (9) breaks up a pass for USC Trojans wide receiver Kyron Hudson (10) in the first half at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

No. 4 Penn State rallies to top USC in OT

Ryan Barker’s 36-yard field goal in overtime completed No. 4 Penn State’s come-from-behind 33-30 win over Southern California on Saturday in Los Angeles.

Penn State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) never led after falling behind 7-3 until Barker capped the first extra session with the last of his four field goals. The Nittany Lions had to battle back from a two-touchdown halftime deficit, doing so thanks in part to a prolific connection between quarterback Drew Allar and tight end Tyler Warren.

Warren was on the receiving end of 17 of Allar’s 30 completions, hauling in a 32-yard touchdown catch just after the break to ignite Penn State’s rally. Warren’s 224 receiving yards are the second most by any Penn State player, only trailing Jahan Dotson’s 242 against Maryland in 2021.

Allar went 30-for-43 passing for 391 yards and two touchdowns, the second of which was a 14-yard strike to Nicholas Singleton that tied the game at 30 with 2:53 left in regulation. Allar was also picked off three times.

The Trojans (3-3, 1-3) crossed into Penn State territory just after the two-minute warning. But while letting the clock tick down as it tried to get into field-goal range, USC saw its end-game strategy backfire.

Jaylen Reed intercepted Trojans quarterback Miller Moss’ deep pass attempt to keep the contest tied and force overtime. In the extra period, the Penn State defense caused a pair of incompletions and Dani Dennis-Sutton tackled Woody Marks for a loss of 3 yards, making USC kicker Michael Lantz’s field-goal attempt 45 yards.

Lantz missed, opening the door for Penn State to win.

Moss completed 20 of 34 passes for 220 yards and a pair of scores — to Kyron Hudson and Quinten Joyner. Joyner powered USC to its early lead with a monster first half that featured a 75-yard rushing touchdown and a 9-yard TD reception.

Marks rushed for 111 yards on 20 carries in the loss.

–Field Level Media

Dec 30, 2023; Atlanta, GA, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) catches a pass and runs for a two point conversion against the Mississippi Rebels during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Penn State star RB Nicholas Singleton expected back vs. USC

After a one-game absence due to an undisclosed injury, Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton is expected to return this Saturday against Southern California.

“We’re very, very confident, and I think Nick’s very confident, talking to him Sunday, that he’ll be ready to go,” Penn State coach James Franklin told reporters Monday.

Franklin said Singleton was “very close” to playing for the now-No. 4 Nittany Lions last Saturday against UCLA. Without him, they still won 27-11, with running back Kaytron Allen carrying the load (21 rushes, 78 yards, one TD).

Singleton has gained 408 rushing yards (102 per game) with three touchdowns on 53 carries this year, adding six catches for 74 yards and two more touchdowns.

In three seasons at Penn State, Singleton has appeared in 30 games and rushed for 2,221 yards and 23 touchdowns. He’s also caught 43 passes for 467 yards and five scores.

–Field Level Media

Sep 20, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini quarterback Luke Altmyer (9) warms up before a game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Luke Altmyer, No. 19 Illinois out to upend No. 9 Penn State

It’s not unexpected to see No. 9 Penn State bolt out to a 3-0 start entering Big Ten Conference play.

On the other hand, Illinois getting off to a 4-0 start and earning a No. 19 ranking in this week’s Associated Press poll probably wasn’t on too many bingo cards a month ago.

That makes the teams’ meeting Saturday night in State College, Pa. a big game, particularly for the Fighting Illini. After opening conference play last weekend with a 31-24 overtime victory at Nebraska, they’d love nothing more than to take down one of the preseason favorites.

“When you get into Big Ten play, it’s different, and Illinois has done a really good job,” Nittany Lions coach James Franklin said. “They’re a physical bunch. The quarterback is playing at a high level.”

Which is a big reason why the Illini are surpassing most preseason expectations. Luke Altmyer has thrown for 10 touchdowns in four games after managing just 13 scoring strikes last year. Most importantly, he’s not been intercepted in 105 passes this season after being picked off 10 times in 2023.

Altmyer’s 71.4 percent completion rate is the best of his career and he’s improved his yards per attempt by more than one. Add on a balanced rushing attack and a defense that resembles the one of two years ago that enabled Illinois to contend, and you have a team that fourth-year coach Bret Bielema can believe in.

“Defensively, we get better as the game goes along,” Bielema said.

Case in point: how Illinois ended the win at Nebraska. After Altmyer fired the go-ahead touchdown pass on the Illini’s overtime possession, they sacked Dylan Raiola on first, second and fourth down to seal the outcome.

Now comes, at least on paper, another step up in class. Penn State’s offense has looked much-improved in the early going, getting more big plays to complement what appears to be another solid defense. It rolled to a 56-0 win last week against hapless Kent State, allowing just 66 total yards.

New offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki stressed creating more chunk plays, and that’s what’s happened. Quarterback Drew Allar is averaging a whopping 17.8 yards per completion and running back Nicholas Singleton is averaging a robust 8.5 yards per rush, compiling 314 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

“The quarterback can’t work through his progression if we’re not playing well up front,” Franklin said. “That plays a part in the quarterback being able to attack the entire field.”

Franklin said the Illinois pass rush is a concern. The Illini will need to pressure Allar because he has capable receivers all over the field, beginning with tight end Tyler Warren, who’s on pace to catch 64 passes. Wideouts Omari Evans and Harrison Wallace are combining to average nearly 22 yards per catch.

This is Illinois’ first visit to Beaver Stadium since it won an NCAA-record nine-overtime game in 2021 on a two-point conversion pass from Brandon Peters to Casey Washington. The Nittany Lions own a 21-6 lead in the all-time series, winning last year in Champaign 30-13.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) rushes for a touchdown during the first quarter against the Bowling Green Falcons at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Drew Allar paces No. 8 Penn State past Bowling Green

Drew Allar threw for two touchdowns and ran for another as No. 8 Penn State rallied in the second half to a 34-27 win over Bowling Green on Saturday in State College, Pa.

Allar completed 13 of 20 passes for 204 yards with an interception. He gave the Nittany Lions (2-0) a 27-24 lead with 6:13 left in the third quarter on a 14-yard scoring strike to Nicholas Singleton.

Singleton added the clinching touchdown with 4:09 left in the fourth quarter on a 41-yard touchdown run, the highlight of his 119-yard effort in 13 carries.

Connor Bazelak completed 25 of 39 passes for 254 yards with two scores and two interceptions for the Falcons (1-1). They rolled up 286 yards in the first half but managed just 88 after halftime.

Jackson Kleather nailed a 42-yard field goal with 47 seconds remaining in the game to draw Bowling Green within seven points. But Penn State recovered an onside kick and ran out the clock.

Penn State came into the game as a whopping 34-point favorite but Bazelak and Bowling Green served immediate notice that this would not be an easy tuneup. The Falcons scored the first three times they touched the ball.

Bazelak hit Harold Fannin Jr. for a 6-yard touchdown just 2:21 into the game, then led a drive of nearly 5 1/2 minutes that resulted in a 33-yard field goal from Kleather. When Bazelak found Malcolm Johnson Jr. for a 15-yard score at the 12:48 mark of the second quarter, the Falcons led 17-7.

Allar, who rushed for a 5-yard touchdown on the Nittany Lions’ first possession, connected with Omari Evans for a 29-yard strike to make it 17-14 with 11:48 remaining. Penn State tied it with a 43-yard field goal by Sander Sahaydak with 5:28 left.

But Bowling Green regained the lead less than two minutes later on a 41-yard run by Jamal Johnson. Sahaydak hit from 28 with 14 seconds on the clock but the Falcons took a stunning 24-20 edge into halftime.

–Field Level Media

Aug 31, 2024; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive tackle Zane Durant (28) celebrates after a stop during the third quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

No. 8 Penn State, proud of improved defense, faces Bowling Green

Much was made of the improved big-play capability of No. 8 Penn State on offense last week in its season-opening 34-12 win at West Virginia.

But coach James Franklin noted that the Nittany Lions, who host Bowling Green on Saturday in State College, Pa., weren’t too shabby on defense.

“No one is talking about our defense and our defense played really well,” he said Monday. “Better in points per possession, better in explosive plays. Better in total yards allowed, better in rushing yards allowed. Our defense played better, and they played better on the road.”

Penn State won’t have to worry about the road for a while, either. This game starts a stretch of four in a row at home. With a bye week tossed in next week, the Nittany Lions won’t have to travel again until an Oct. 12 trip to Southern California.

Their defense allowed only 246 total yards at West Virginia, including just 85 on the ground, and forced three turnovers. Teamed with an offense that rolled up 457 total yards and created four plays of at least 40 yards, it led to one of the more impressive wins of the opening week.

Quarterback Drew Allar was 11-of-17 passing for 216 yards and three touchdowns — all in the second quarter. Harrison Wallace caught five passes for 117 yards and two scores, including a 50-yarder on the first play of the second quarter and an 18-yarder with six seconds remaining in the first half for a 20-6 lead at intermission.

“We were very intentional on growing that and developing that,” Allar said of the increase in big plays. “It’s fun to be in a system like that, for sure. We really prepared well throughout the week as an offense.”

It wasn’t all passing, though. Penn State also got 114 rushing yards from Nick Singleton, including a 40-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter after a lightning delay of more than two hours.

Meanwhile, Bowling Green also cruised in its season opener on Aug. 29, drilling FCS opponent Fordham 41-17. Justin Pegues returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and Terion Stewart rushed for 161 yards and three scores, including a 73-yarder in the fourth quarter.

The Falcons also got 168 passing yards from Connor Bazelak, who added a rushing touchdown. Bazelak, who previously played at Missouri and Indiana, has thrown for 9,473 yards in his career and will be starting his 42nd career game on Saturday.

Bowling Green coach Scot Loeffler said his team will be challenged to communicate in front of a big crowd at Beaver Stadium.

“We got to be on point,” Loeffler said. “We got to know exactly what to do because it’s hard to hear. It is a loud place; the student section will be rocking and rolling. There’s a lot of challenge to it. There’ll be an unbelievable amount of people when you’re just warming up.”

The Falcons have lost both previous matchups with the Nittany Lions, with the last meeting coming in 1998, when Penn State cruised to a 48-3 victory.

–Field Level Media

Penn State left tackle Olu Fashanu (74) gets set before a play against West Virginia at Beaver Stadium September 2, 2023, in State College.

Penn State LT Olu Fashanu declares for NFL draft

Penn State’s Olu Fashanu, considered one of the top offensive tackles in the upcoming class, announced Friday he is entering the 2024 NFL Draft.

Fashanu was seen as a first-round pick in mock drafts for 2023, but he decided to return for another season with the Nittany Lions.

“A year ago I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to declare for the NFL draft,” Fashanu wrote in a social media post. “I am forever grateful that I made the decision to come back and compete with my brothers on last time while also graduating. With that being said, I am proud to announce that I will be declaring fore the 2024 NFL Draft. I look forward to spending time with my teammates and coaches in Atlanta for the Peach Bowl.”

While he plans to travel to Atlanta, it was unclear whether Fashanu will play in the Peach Bowl for No. 10 Penn State (10-2) against No. 11 Ole Miss (10-2) on Dec. 30.

Fashanu, listed at 6-foot-6 and 317 pounds, was a two-year starter at Penn State and was named a first-team All-American in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Penn State head football coach James Franklin looks around before walking off the field following a 24-15 loss to Michigan at Beaver Stadium Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in State College, Pa.

Drew Allar, No. 11 Penn State crush Michigan State

Drew Allar went 17-of-26 passing for 292 yards and two touchdowns to lead No. 11 Penn State to a 42-0 win over Michigan State in a Big Ten East contest played at Ford Field in Detroit.

Kaytron Allen rushed for 137 yards on 15 carries and Nicholas Singleton piled up 118 yards on 18 carries for Penn State (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten).

Michigan State ended its season at 4-8 overall and 2-7 in the conference.

The Nittany Lions dominated throughout, collecting 23 first downs to five for Michigan State, outgaining the Spartans, 586-68, and possessing the football for more than 36 minutes.

Penn State’s defense collected seven sacks.

Penn State scored on the first possession of the game, going 43 yards in 10 plays and taking a 3-0 lead on a 49-yard field goal by Alex Felkins.

With 12:11 to go in the second quarter, Felkins drilled a 30-yard field goal to give Penn State a 6-0 lead.

The Nittany Lions scored the first touchdown of the game with 4:51 left in the second quarter, going up 13-0 on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Allar to Allen to finish off a 10-play, 64-yard drive.

Penn State then took a 21-0 lead with 10:13 left in the third quarter on an 8-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Beau Primula to Tyler Warren and a subsequent 2-point pass from Allar to KeAndre Lambert-Smith.

The Nittany Lions went up 28-0 with 4:13 remaining in the third on a 2-yard touchdown run by Pribula.

The score was set up by a 60-yard pass from Allar to Omari Evans down to the Michigan State 2-yard line.

With 12:29 remaining in the game, Allar hit Theo Johnson for a 21-yard touchdown pass that gave Penn State a 35-0 lead.

Singleton scored on a 14-yard touchdown run with 7:58 left to make it 42-0 Nittany Lions.

–Field Level Media

Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson (44) celebrates after sacking Massachusetts quarterback Taisun Phommachanh in the first half of a NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in State College, Pa. The Nittany Lions won, 63-0.

Penn State DE Chop Robinson out vs. Indiana

Penn State defensive end Chop Robinson missed Saturday’s home game against Indiana as he continues to recover from an injury that occurred last week.

In the second quarter of last Saturday’s 20-12 loss to host Ohio State, Robinson had difficultly getting to his feet after a collision with a Buckeyes player. Play was stopped for several minutes before Robinson was helped to his feet then carted off the field. He did not return.

Robinson, 20, is considered a top prospect for the 2024 NFL Draft and is a key member of one of the top defenses in the nation, which leads FBS in sacks (29) and the Big Ten in tackles for loss (60).

The junior, who’s in his second season at Penn State after transferring from Maryland prior to the 2022 season, has three sacks, five tackles for loss and a forced fumble in seven games this season.

Penn State coach James Franklin addressed Robinson’s injury at Tuesday’s press conference.

“From what I understand and from what I see and from what I know, I don’t see this being a long-term issue,” Franklin said. “But you never know when it comes to medical. But hopefully we’ll be getting Chop back here soon. As you guys know, I’m pretty open when it’s a season-ending injury. I don’t see that.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 4, 2021;  College Station, Texas, USA;  Kent State Golden Flashes wide receiver Dante Cephas (14) receives the pass from Kent State Golden Flashes quarterback Dustin Crum (not shown) during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Penn State lands coveted transfer WR Dante Cephas

Former Kent State wide receiver Dante Cephas, considered one of the best players in the transfer portal this offseason, committed Sunday night to Penn State.

Cephas was a first-team All-MAC selection in both 2021 and 2022. He had 82 receptions for 1,240 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021 and 48 catches for 744 yards and three TDs last season, playing just nine games while battling an injury.

The Nittany Lions have sent several receivers to the NFL in recent years, including Chris Godwin, K.J. Hamler and Jahan Dotson. Penn State wideout Parker Washington is likely to be a draft pick in April.

Cephas’ decision came on the same day that Penn State parted ways with receivers coach Taylor Stubblefield in a surprise move.

–Field Level Media

Jan 2, 2023; Pasadena, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (6) makes a catch against Utah Utes safety R.J. Hubert (11) in the second half of the 109th Rose Bowl game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

No. 11 Penn State pulls away from No. 8 Utah to win Rose Bowl

Sean Clifford passed for 279 yards and two touchdowns, Nicholas Singleton rushed for 120 yards and two scores and No. 11 Penn State dominated the second half while defeating No. 8 Utah 35-21 in the Rose Bowl on Monday at Pasadena, Calif.

The Nittany Lions (11-2) became the first team in Rose Bowl history to have multiple touchdown plays from scrimmage of more than 80 yards in the same game. Singleton rushed 87 yards for a TD in the third quarter, and Clifford teamed up with KeAndre Lambert-Smith on an 88-yard scoring pass in the fourth.

Kaytron Allen added a rushing touchdown and Mitchell Tinsley caught a scoring reception for Penn State, which scored the first 21 points of a rainy second half.

Quarterback Cameron Rising departed for the Utes (10-4) due to a left knee injury in the third quarter and didn’t return. He completed 8 of 21 passes for 95 yards, one touchdown and one interception and rushed for 47 yards on 10 attempts.

It marked the second straight Rose Bowl in which Rising was knocked out of the contest with an injury. He sustained a head injury in the fourth quarter of the Utes’ 48-45 loss to Ohio State in last year’s game.

Bryson Barnes replaced Rising and completed 10 of 19 passes for 112 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Utah’s Ja’Quinden Jackson rushed for a touchdown, and Thomas Yassmin and Jaylen Dixon had scoring receptions.

Penn State was backed up in its own end in a tie game when Singleton broke free on a third-and-2 play for his 87-yard run, the third-longest in Rose Bowl history. Singleton was in the clear by his own 30-yard line en route to giving his team a 21-14 lead with 9:25 left in the third quarter.

Rising was injured on Utah’s next drive after scrambling 9 yards for a first down with 8:31 left.

The Nittany Lions went for the other big strike on the first play of the final stanza to take a 14-point lead. Lambert-Smith managed to get wide open in the Utah secondary and Clifford hit him for the 88-yard score that was the longest pass play in Rose Bowl history.

Penn State increased the lead to 35-14 when Allen scored from the 1 with 10:36 left in the game. Barnes and Dixon teamed up on a late 5-yard touchdown pass for the Utes.

Earlier, Singleton scored the game’s first points on a 5-yard run with seven seconds left in the first quarter.

Utah tied the game when Rising hit Yassmin on a 1-yard touchdown pass with 7:55 left in the first half. Clifford tossed a 10-yard scoring pass to Tinsley to give Penn State a 14-7 lead with 4:47 remaining until the break before Jackson scored on a 19-yard run to tie it at 14 with 2:38 left.

–Field Level Media