Penn State keeps Playoff hopes alive after squeaking by Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS — The Nittany Lions refused to let history repeat itself when they invaded Huntington Bank Stadium Saturday afternoon to face the Golden Gophers.

Unlike the loss at Minnesota in 2019, Penn State was able to finish the job this time around, and posted a 26-25 victory in front of a crowd of 44,266. The performance from the Nittany wasn’t pretty by any means, but their coach was proud of them, considering how tough it is to win on the road in Big Ten play in November.

After all, Penn State started out sluggish, and went scoreless in the first quarter for the fourth time this season. Not to mention there were some miscues on special teams, and the Nittany Lions found themselves down by three points at halftime.

However, Penn State (10-1) came out in the second half with more urgency and discipline, which Franklin found encouraging. Once the smoke cleared, the Nittany Lions led the Golden Gophers in total offense, plays, yards per play and first downs.

“I thought the third quarter continued to be a good story for our team, and our defense has yet to allow a third quarter touchdown this season,” Franklin said. “I’m proud that we’re one of three teams in the country to have 10 or more wins in the last three years, and I think consistency matters.”

Penn State struggled with execution though, and only converted one of its’ 11 third down attempts. At one point there was even tension on the sidelines between quarterback Drew Allar and Franklin. Minnesota’s defense was able to create a consistent pass rush, and some defenders penetrated the backfield unblocked, which led to two sacks on Allar.

Still, the gunslinger had his bright moments, and came through in the clutch. Allar led the offense on a five-play, 75-yard touchdown drive early in the second quarter, which ended when he found wideout Omari Evans in the corner of the end zone. He also rushed for a score right before the first half ended, but the Golden Gophers blocked the PAT, and took the pigskin 88 yards to the house.

Although the momentum shifted to Minnesota’s side because it took the lead on that play, Penn State never panicked, and Franklin credits that to his leaders on the team, especially Allar. The signal-caller rallied the troops, got everyone involved, including stud tight end Tyler Warren, and Franklin was pleased with the way Allar’s teammates responded to his energy.

“He (Allar) made big plays with his feet, showed toughness, and didn’t slide,” he said. “Tonight he played to win it at critical times, and that play at the end between him and Tyler Warren was a coach’s dream.”

The Nittany Lions didn’t play their best ball on offense until the last drive of the fourth quarter. Allar put the ball into Warren’s hands, and he took care of the rest. Penn State played keep away with Minnesota,and converted three fourth down attempts, including one courtesy of Warren, that basically sealed the game.

It was clear to Franklin late in the game that desperate times had to require desperate measures. Which is why Franklin had to rely on his best player on offense, and Warren didn’t disappoint.

“Tyler is part of the game plan all of the time, and if he’s not open we’re not not going to throw it to him,” the 52-year old coach said. “So there are plays that are designed to go to Tyler, but that’s kind of always part of the game plan is to get the ball in his hand as much as we possibly can.”

Allar completed 21 of his 28 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown, to go along with a rushing score. Running back Nicholas Singleton rushed for a game-high, 63 yards and a touchdown. Warren also finished with a game-high, eight catches for 102 yards.

Defensively, the Nittany Lions were able to cause two key turnovers, which helped the offense out with field position. Safety Jaylen Reed led Penn State with 10 tackles. Linebacker Kobe King added nine stops, and Tony Rojas tallied six, including one for loss and the team’s lone sack.

Despite having a PAT blocked, kicker Ryan Barker got in on the scoring action too, and nailed two field goals, including a 45-yarder. Franklin strongly believes if it wasn’t for a couple of mistakes on special teams, the Nittany Lions would’ve put more points on the scoreboard.

Now No. 4 Penn State is riding high with 10 wins, undefeated on the road and has one more game left for the regular season against a 4-7 Maryland team. A victory over the Terrapins, and the Nittany Lions will reach the Playoffs for the first time in school history. If Michigan can somehow upset Ohio State, Penn State will end up in the Big Ten Championship Game against No. 1 Oregon.

That’s more than enough motivation for Franklin and his team to take care of business on Senior Day at home against the Terrapins.