Tag: Penn State Nittany Lions

No. 2 Indiana tops Penn State in last-minute thriller

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Omar Cooper Jr. made a spectacular touchdown catch from Fernando Mendoza with 36 seconds left to lift No. 2 Indiana to a thrilling 27-24 road victory over Penn State on Saturday in University Park, Pa.

On the decisive play, Mendoza backpedaled with two defenders in his face and found Cooper for a toe-tapping 7-yard TD in the back of the end zone.

Charlie Becker, who made a terrific catch of his own on the winning drive, finished with seven grabs for 118 yards for the Hoosiers (10-0, 7-0 Big Ten). Mendoza was 19 of 30 for 218 yards with a touchdown on the ground, in addition to the clutch TD pass in the final seconds.

In the midst of a nightmare season, the Nittany Lions (3-6, 0-6) have lost six straight games — a stretch that has included the firing of coach James Franklin and the loss of quarterback Drew Allar to a season-ending injury. They rallied from a 20-7 deficit in this one to take a fourth-quarter lead before suffering a heart-breaking defeat.

Penn State’s Ethan Grunkemeyer was 22 of 31 for 219 yards, while Nicholas Singleton collected 93 total yards and three scores for the hosts.

Penn State trailed 20-10 early in the fourth quarter when Singleton’s 59-yard run to the 1 set up his own TD plunge two plays later. King Mack then intercepted Mendoza near the sidelines, giving the ball back to the Nittany Lions.

Singleton evaded a pair of defenders en route to the go-ahead 14-yard score with 6:27 left. The Hoosiers punted on the ensuing drive, but they got one final chance — and they capitalized with one of the greatest plays in school history.

Indiana opened the scoring late in the first quarter on Mendoza’s 18-yard TD scramble. Early in the second, Singleton surged in for a 1-yard TD run, tying the game at 7-7.

The Hoosiers created some separation with two scores in the final three minutes of the half, capped by Kaelon Black’s 1-yard TD run that sent Indiana into the locker room with a 17-7 cushion.

The teams exchanged field goals in the third quarter, setting up the exciting finish.

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Northwestern Wildcats running back Caleb Komolafe (5) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Northwestern rallies late, hands Penn State 3rd straight loss

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Caleb Komolafe rushed for the go-ahead fourth-quarter touchdown Saturday as visiting Northwestern handed Penn State its third straight loss, emerging from University Park, Pa. with a 22-21 victory.

Northwestern’s Preston Stone threw for 163 yards, much of which went to Griffin Wilde (seven catches, 94 yards, TD). Komolafe ran for 72 yards on 19 carries for the Wildcats (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten).

The Nittany Lions (3-3, 0-3) lost Drew Allar to a leg injury late in the game after the veteran quarterback went 13-of-20 passing for 137 yards with an interception. Kaytron Allen contributed 90 rushing yards and a score for Penn State, while Devonte Ross caught seven balls for 115 yards.

Northwestern trailed 21-16 with just under five minutes left when Komolafe broke through the defense for a 9-yard touchdown run, putting the Wildcats up 22-21.

The ensuing conversion attempt failed, but it didn’t ultimately matter as Penn State failed to reach field-goal range on its next possession. Allar was injured on a third-and-4 run in Nittany Lions territory, forcing Ethan Grunkemeyer to come in on fourth down — and his scramble attempt fell short of the sticks.

Northwestern burned the rest of the clock with Joseph Himon II sliding down at the 2 to preserve the victory.

Jack Olsen’s 27-yard field goal accounted for the only points of the first quarter. However, a Penn State drive that began in the opening quarter concluded with Allen’s 11-yard TD run early in the second.

The Wildcats promptly responded with Stone’s 29-yard TD pass to Wilde, who got open in the back corner of the end zone for a 10-7 advantage. Yet, the momentum quickly turned in the Nittany Lions’ favor, as Northwestern muffed a punt that led to Nicholas Singleton’s 2-yard TD run on fourth-and-goal.

Northwestern threw the final punch of the first half, as Olsen drilled a 34-yard field goal in the waning seconds to bring the visitors within 14-13 at the break. He kicked another early in the fourth to put the Wildcats in front 16-14.

On the ensuing possession, Allar’s 67-yard pass to Ross led to a 1-yard TD run by the Penn State quarterback, putting the hosts ahead 21-16 with 10:50 to play.

–Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin (middle) looks on after defeated by UCLA Bruins 42-37 at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

Penn State welcomes Northwestern, trying to avoid third straight loss

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Penn State began the season ranked No. 2 in the nation, but that feels like a distant memory right now.

The slumping Nittany Lions hope to avoid a third straight defeat Saturday when they host Northwestern in Big Ten action from University Park, Pa.

Penn State (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten) opened its campaign with three wins by a combined margin of 132-17. However, the team suffered its first loss in a 30-24 double OT defeat to then-No. 6 Oregon before the wheels fell off in last Saturday’s 42-37 loss at UCLA.

The Nittany Lions trailed 27-7 against the previously winless Bruins and were never able to recover in arguably the worst loss of the James Franklin era.

“We need to overcome it as quickly as we possibly can,” said the veteran coach. “Tune out the noise, focus on getting better, but also recognize and understand we’ve had two losses in a row that are frustrating for everybody involved.”

Meanwhile, Northwestern (3-2, 1-1) is trending in the opposite direction. The Wildcats have allowed a total of just 21 points in wins over UCLA and UL Monroe over the last two games, although now they must play three of their next four on the road.

“To be coming off a couple wins here at home, I think what this group understands is that when we get all 11 people on the same page, we communicate well, and we execute, we’ve got a chance to be pretty darn good,” said Wildcats coach David Braun.

Northwestern’s defensive game plan this weekend will certainly prioritize slowing down Kaytron Allen, who has six rushing touchdowns this season and is averaging 7.0 yards per carry.

“That is a talented dude,” Braun said. “At the end of the day, if we want to win in the Big Ten, we’ve got to find ways to effectively stop the run.”

On the other sideline, Penn State will hope to generate some turnovers against Northwestern quarterback Preston Stone. In the Wildcats’ two losses, Stone has thrown six interceptions and no touchdowns; in their three wins, he has racked up seven TD passes and no picks.

“We’ve been impressed with him,” said Franklin, whose team has won the last three meetings between the schools and nine of the last 11.

–Field Level Media

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Jordon Davison (0) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

No. 6 Oregon overcomes No. 3 Penn State’s ‘White Out’ in double OT

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Dante Moore tossed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Gary Bryant Jr. in the second overtime and Dillon Thieneman recorded a game-ending interception as No. 6 Oregon produced a 30-24 victory over No. 3 Penn State on Saturday night in Big Ten play at University Park, Pa.

Moore completed 29 of 39 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns as the Ducks (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) notched a big victory in front of 111,015 fans during Penn State’s famed annual “White Out” game.

Drew Allar was 14-of-25 passing for 137 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for Penn State (3-1, 0-1). Devonte Ross was credited with two touchdown receptions for the Nittany Lions.

Oregon blew a 14-point, fourth-quarter lead and fell behind 24-17 when Kaytron Allen scored on a 4-yard run in the first overtime session. The Ducks tied the score on Moore’s 2-yard shovel pass to Jamari Johnson.

The Ducks struck on the first play of the second OT as Moore tossed the TD pass to Bryant. The Oregon two-point pass was intercepted by Penn State star Dani Dennis-Sutton.

Penn State took over and Allar threw to the right toward Luke Reynolds on the first play. Thieneman leaped and snagged the pick to end the festivities.
Dierre Hill Jr. rushed for 82 yards and caught a touchdown pass and Jordan Davison added a rushing touchdown for the Ducks, who had a 424-276 edge in total offense.

Penn State star runners Allen (54 yards) and Nicolas Singleton (21) combined for just 75 yards on 23 rushing attempts.

Oregon enjoyed a 17-3 lead before the Nittany Lions rallied.

Allar had just 62 passing yards prior to the drive but connected on all three throws on this one for 56 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown to Ross to move Penn State within seven with 10:30 remaining.

Penn State later took over with 7:07 remaining and put together a 15-play, 62-yard drive. The Nittany Lions tied the score on a play in which Ross came in motion and received a forward flip from Allar and raced to the left for a 7-yard touchdown with 30 seconds remaining.

A key sequence occurred during Oregon’s go-ahead 10-play, 80-yard scoring drive in the third quarter.

The Ducks were at the Penn State 9-yard line when Chaz Coleman of the Nittany Lions knocked the ball loose from a falling Noah Whittington. Penn State’s Zakee Wheatley scooped up the ball at the 10 and raced 39 yards to his own 49.

However, the officials reviewed the play and determined that Whittington’s right knee hit the ground before the ball was free. Oregon maintained possession at the Penn State 8.

On the next play, Moore tossed the ball to Hill for a touchdown to give the Ducks a 10-3 lead with 3:16 left in the quarter.

Oregon increased its lead to 14 when Davison scored on an 8-yard run with 12:25 remaining in the contest.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) looks for a receiver during the first half against the Washington Huskies at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Big Ten championship game capsule: Oregon vs. Penn State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Big Ten championship game
Oregon (12-0) vs. Penn State (11-1)
Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, at 8 p.m. ET
Indianapolis, Lucas Oil Stadium
TV: CBS
Early line: Oregon -3.5 (FanDuel)

What’s at stake:
Oregon is a sure-fire pick no matter what happens in this game but the Ducks want the No. 1 overall seed and a first-round bye. Having your first game being in the quarterfinals is much more preferred than risk being upset in the first round.

Penn State also is part of the 12-team field no matter what transpires in Indy. But stun the Ducks and get a bye and home-field advantage? That would be a huge development for the Nittany Lions.

How they got here:
The Ducks needed a last-second field goal to beat Boise State on Sept. 7 and then won their next three games by at least 21 points. They defeated Ohio State 32-31 in a major showdown on Oct. 12 and then beat four straight Big Ten opponents — including Illinois and Michigan — by an average of 26.5 points. Saturday’s 49-21 whipping of Washington furthered displayed that Oregon is by far the best team in the land.

Penn State won its first seven games before once again falling to Ohio State, dropping coach James Franklin to 1-10 versus the Buckeyes during his tenure. The Nittany Lions bounced back impressively with wins of 29 and 39 points against Washington and Purdue, respectively. Penn State closed with a 44-7 rout of Maryland and landed the championship game spot due to Michigan’s win over Ohio State.

Names to know:
–Oregon
QB Dillon Gabriel
The transfer is always efficient, and he completed 73.5 percent of his passes for 3,275 yards, 24 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

RB Jordan James
Put together a strong season of 1,166 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground, contributing 95 or more yards on eight occasions.

S Tysheem Johnson
Leads the team in interceptions with three, ranks second in tackles with 55 and always seems to know where to be in the back end.

–Penn State
QB Drew Allar
Allar completed 71.6 percent of his passes while throwing for 2,668 yards and 18 touchdowns against five interceptions during the regular season.

TE Tyler Warren
He has 81 receptions for 978 yards and six scores, topped by that memorable career-best outing of 17 catches for 224 yards against Southern California on Oct. 12.

DE Abdul Carter
Put together a dominant season that counts 19.5 tackles for loss, including 10 sacks, while terrorizing opposing offensive linemen.

Xs and Os:
The Ducks departed the Pac-12 for the Big Ten, where wins weren’t supposed to come so easily. But Oregon thrived in its new environment and has been the top team in the nation all season. No matter what happens in the conference title game, the Ducks are the team to beat in the 12-team playoff field.

One narrative Franklin despises is that his program beats all the teams it should and falls short in the big games. Well, here you go coach, a perfect chance to temporarily silence that chatter, especially since a win over the Ducks gives the Nittany Lions a first-round bye.

Prediction:
Oregon 41, Penn State 30

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers running back Devin Mockobee (45) is tackled by several Penn State Nittany Lions during the second quarter at Ross-Ade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

No. 4 Penn State takes it turn pummeling Purdue

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Drew Allar passed for three touchdowns and Tyler Warren found the end zone twice as No. 4 Penn State rolled over host Purdue 49-10 on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Allar finished with more touchdowns than incompletions, as he went 17 of 19 for 247 yards without a turnover for the Nittany Lions (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten). Warren totaled eight catches for 127 yards and a score and also had a 48-yard scoring run.

Hudson Card passed for 151 yards and Max Klare had 91 receiving yards and a touchdown for Purdue (1-9, 0-7), which has not won since Week 1 and has not beaten Penn State since 2004. The Boilermakers have faced three top-five opponents in the last month, losing those games by a combined margin of 129-10.

The Nittany Lions wasted no time featuring the Allar-to-Warren connection. The two hooked up for gains of 15, 17 and 27 yards on the opening drive of the game, setting up Allar’s 2-yard scoring strike to Kaytron Allen.

On the next Penn State trip, Allar found Warren for 9 yards on third-and-2 early on the drive. The march ended with Allar’s 15-yard touchdown pass to Warren, making it 14-0.

The Boilermakers got on the board with a field goal midway through the second quarter, but the ensuing possession featured a backwards pass from Warren to Allar, who then threw back across the field to Warren for a 38-yard gain. Nicholas Singleton plunged in for a 10-yard score on the next play, making it 21-3.

That was still the score at halftime before the visitors erupted for three touchdowns in the third quarter — all covering 40-plus yards.

First, Warren took a direct snap and went 48 yards for a touchdown. Then Allar found a wide-open Harrison Wallace III in the end zone for a 46-yard score. And finally, backup QB Beau Pribula kept the ball on a read-option and sprinted 49 yards to make it 42-3.

Purdue’s only touchdown came midway through the fourth, when backup quarterback Ryan Browne found Klare for a 20-yard score.

–Field Level Media

Nov 9, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren (44) jumps over top of the Washington Huskies defense and into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Tyler Warren shows off versatility as No. 6 Penn State thrashes Washington

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tight end Tyler Warren made a game-high eight receptions and rushed for two touchdowns as No. 6 Penn State trounced Washington 35-6 Saturday night in the Nittany Lions’ annual white-out game in University Park, Pa.

Drew Allar completed 20 of 28 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown for Penn State (8-1 overall, 5-1 Big Ten), which could move up in the College Football Playoff rankings after losses by No. 3 Georgia and No. 4 Miami. Teammate Kaytron Allen rushed 20 times for 98 yards and a score.

The Nittany Lions had a 486-193 edge in total offense.

The normally staid Penn State offense came up with some intriguing plays in taking a 28-0 halftime lead.

Backup quarterback Beau Pribula came off the bench and scored on an 8-yard run around the left end to open the scoring with 3:48 left in the first quarter. That capped a nine-play, 72-yard drive after Washington’s Grady Gross hit the upright on a 45-yard field goal attempt.

Facing third-and-goal from the UW 2-yard line with 9:23 remaining in the second, Warren — a finalist for the Paul Hornung Award as college football’s most versatile player — lined up as the quarterback in a Wildcat formation. Warren took the snap and vaulted into the end zone to make it 14-0.

With 3:23 left in the quarter, Penn State faced the same situation — third-and-goal from the 2 — and again used Warren in the Wildcat formation. This time he muscled his way over the goal line behind the left tackle.

Allar then threw an 8-yard scoring strike to Julian Fleming with 23 seconds left in the half.

Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton returned the second-half kickoff 97 yards, but the touchdown was called back because of a holding penalty.

The Huskies (5-5, 3-4) finally got on the scoreboard on Gross’ 24-yard field goal with 9:47 left in the third. He added a 35-yarder early in the fourth to make it 28-6.

Allen scored on a 1-yard run with 4:50 to go to cap the scoring.

UW quarterback Will Rogers III was 10-of-13 passing for 59 yards and one interception in the first half before being replaced by Demond Williams Jr., who was 6-of-10 passing for 60 yards and rushed for a team-high 38 yards on 10 attempts.

–Field Level Media

Nov 2, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren (44) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Defensive stand propels No. 4 Ohio State past No. 3 Penn State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A goal-line stand late in the game helped No. 4 Ohio State record a 20-13 win over No. 3 Penn State on Saturday afternoon in State College, Pa.

The Buckeyes (7-1, 4-1 Big Ten) have defeated the Nittany Lions (7-1, 4-1) eight straight times since 2016.

Trailing 20-13, Penn State had a first-and-goal from the 3. Three runs produced only two yards, however, and a pass intended to Khalil Dinkins was incomplete with 5:13 left in the game.

The Buckeyes ran out the clock with quarterback Will Howard, a Pennsylvania native, rushing for seven yards on a third-and-3 from the Penn State 47 with 30 seconds left. He took a knee to end the game.

Howard was 16 of 24 for 182 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while Quinshon Judkins ran for 95 yards.

Penn State’s Drew Allar was 12 of 20 for 146 yards and an interception.

Ohio State led 14-10 after a bizarre first half in which both teams had apparent touchdowns result in turnovers after video review.

Howard ran 13 yards along the left sideline but Zakee Wheatley stripped him of the ball at the 1 and it flew over the pylon and out of bounds for a touchback. Initially it was ruled a touchdown to make it 20-10 in the second quarter.

Just before halftime, the Nittany Lions thought they had a 16-14 lead after Harrison “Tre” Wallace made a catch in the end zone on the right boundary with 11 seconds left. However, the replay showed cornerback Davison Igbinosun had snatched the ball while dragging his right foot for an interception.

Howard had an adventurous first half. He threw a pick-six that was returned 31 yards by Zion Tracy for a 10-0 Penn State lead before putting the Buckeyes ahead with TD passes of 25 yards to Emeka Egbuka and 21 to Brandon Inniss.

Jayden Fielding kicked field goals of 46 and 39 yards to sandwich a Ryan Barker 44-yard field goal to give the Buckeyes a 20-13 lead with 10 minutes left in the game.

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions running back Kaytron Allen (13) runs with the ball during the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

In rare trip to Coliseum, No. 4 PSU seeks some revenge vs. USC

Posted on | by Field Level Media

For the first time since 1991, Southern California welcomes Penn State to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in a pivotal Big Ten Conference showdown Saturday.

The fourth-ranked Nittany Lions (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) are facing the Trojans at USC’s home stadium for the first time as conference foes. Saturday also marks the first meeting since USC won a thrilling 52-49 matchup in the Rose Bowl Game on Jan. 2, 2017.

The Trojans’ victory in that classic Rose Bowl encounter spoiled Penn State’s latest Big Ten-title-winning season. The Nittany Lions aim to return to that apex in 2024 and are off to a solid start with back-to-back double-digit wins in their initial league games.

Penn State cruised against USC’s fellow Los Angeles-based Big Ten newcomer, UCLA, in a 27-11 rout last week. After taking the lead in the second quarter vs. the visiting Bruins, the Nittany Lions controlled the game, surrendering only a touchdown in the final minute with the outcome no longer in doubt.

With running back Nick Singleton out last week due to an undisclosed injury, Kaytron Allen led the way with 78 rushing yards and a touchdown. Penn State coach James Franklin anticipates Singleton returning this Saturday to pair the standout every-down back averaging 7.7 yards per carry and 102 yards per game with Allen, an effective short-yardage back.

Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar connected on 17 of 24 passes for his third consecutive game with a completion percentage of better than 70 percent and no interceptions thrown. He has thrown nine touchdown passes and only one interception through five games.

In moving to 5-0 with the blowout win, Penn State became the only program in the country to start 5-0 in each of the past four seasons.

“Those things are special,” Franklin said in his news conference Monday. “Don’t take them for granted, because a ton of programs would love to be able to say the same thing. But at the end of the day, all that matters is that we’re 1-0 this week. If we don’t handle our business this week, that stat we’re talking about won’t mean anything.”

While the Nittany Lions come in looking to extend their perfect start, USC (3-2, 1-2) is attempting to avoid falling to .500 overall this deep into a season for the third year since 2018. The Trojans are also trying to avoid a deep hole in their inaugural Big Ten campaign after enduring road losses in the closing minute at Michigan on Sept. 21 and at Minnesota last Saturday.

The 24-17 setback against the Golden Gophers was the first time this season USC was outscored in a second half, as the Trojans gave up two late rushing touchdowns to Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer. The second came on a fourth-and-goal sneak with 56 seconds remaining to break a 17-17 tie and give Minnesota a 14-7 second-half edge.

Trojans coach Lincoln Riley said at media availability Tuesday that USC contacted the Big Ten about various calls in last week’s game, including Brosmer’s game-winning touchdown, which was initially declared stopped before a video review.

“We had plenty of other opportunities. I’m not sitting here blaming the officials,” Riley said. “It’s unfortunate, yes, but obviously a lot of things we can do better and need to do better.”

Part of USC’s recent misfortune has been turnovers. The Trojans had two possessions at Minnesota stall in Golden Gophers territory due to interceptions thrown by Miller Moss.

USC is also playing without linebacker Eric Gentry. Riley said on Tuesday that Gentry’s absence appears to be indefinite and that the standout might wind up sitting out the remainder of the year to use it as a redshirt season.

–Field Level Media