HIGHLIGHTS: Penn State breaks near-century-old record in Kent State win

Two weeks ago, Penn State football welcomed a MAC opponent into Beaver Stadium and was pushed to the brink of a season-upending upset. Another MAC squad returned to Happy Valley on Saturday, but this time, the result was much, much different. The No. 10 Nittany Lions thoroughly dismantled Kent State, defeating the Golden Flashes 56-0 to move to 3-0 on the year.

It wasn’t the smoothest start out of the gate, but the Nittany Lions would make up for it later. James Franklin’s squad would go on to break a 98-year Penn State football program record for total offense in a game with 718 yards.

After a Beau Pribula interception stalled the Nittany Lions’ opening possession, Penn State opened the scoring on its second drive to make it 7-0. A nine-play, 89-yard drive was capped with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Drew Allar to tight end Tyler Warren.

Warren took center stage for Penn State two drives later. After a one-handed, tip-toe 14-yard snag down the sideline, the former high school quarterback returned to his roots by completing a pass out of the wildcat to Nicholas Singleton for a score. The 17-yard throw completed a seven-play, 90-yard drive, and extended the Nittany Lions’ lead to 14.

From there, the Penn State offense kicked into gear. Drew Allar accounted for 63 of the Nittany Lions’ 67 yards on its third scoring drive, which culminated with a 14-yard strike to Liam Clifford. The junior quarterback then orchestrated a textbook two-minute drill to close out the half, leading the Lions 75 yards down the field in 44 seconds.

The momentum carried over through the break, as Penn State opened the second half with a quick-strike scoring drive. Allar connected with Omari Evans for a 59-yard toss to give the Nittany Lions a five-touchdown advantage.

Allar ended his day there with 309 yards passing, making way for backup quarterback Beau Pribula, who led a nine-play, 91-yard drive on the next series. Pribula connected with tight end Khalil Dinkins for a 13-yard touchdown pass to make it 42-0 Nittany Lions.

It was then time for the up-and-coming Nittany Lions to take center stage, chief among them redshirt freshman running back Cam Wallace. Wallace, who would later leave the game with an injury, scored his first career touchdown on a one-yard scamper for Penn State’s seventh touchdown of the afternoon. Pribula would find paydirt himself on the next series for the Nittany Lions’ final score of the game.

Penn State football faces more injury concerns

For the second consecutive game, Penn State suffered key injuries on the defensive side of the ball. Against Bowling Green two weeks ago, it was safety KJ Winston on the first play of the second quarter. On Saturday, the injury bug came for linebacker Dom DeLuca.

The senior linebacker made his way to the locker room near the end of the first quarter. Although he returned to the Penn State sideline, DeLuca didn’t return to play.

Meanwhile, star edge rusher Abdul Carter also had his own run-in with bumps and bruises versus Kent State. Carter was seen limping at the end of the first half. The junior defensive end didn’t play in the second half despite warming up after halftime, although James Franklin and the Penn State coaching staff did begin rotating in younger Nittany Lions midway through the third quarter.

Nittany Lions break the near-century-old record in dominating win

Playing statistically one of the worst teams in the FBS this year, Penn State football put up a historic day on the offensive side of the ball. With 718 yards, the Nittany Lions broke the school’s all-time record for total yards in a single game. The original record of 711 yards was set in 1926 against Susquehanna.

Penn State:

• Total yards – 718
• Rushing yards – 309
• Passing yards – 409
• Average yards per play – 8.9

Individual leaders:

• Passing – Drew Allar: 17-21, 309 yards, and three touchdowns
• Rushing – Nicholas Singleton: 11 carries, 81 yards
• Receiving – Omari Evans: 4 receptions, 116 yards, one touchdown
• Tackles – Anthony Speca: five tackles (two solo)

Kent State:

• Total yards – 67
• Rushing yards – 49
• Passing yards – 18
• Average yards per play – 1.6

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