HIGHLIGHTS: Penn State avoids upset, earns 10th win with gutsy final drive

Penn State football clinched a 10-win regular season for the 22nd time in program history on Saturday, defeating Minnesota in Minneapolis 26-25. A battle from start to finish, the No. 4 Nittany Lions held off the upset bid and kept their playoff hopes intact with yet another come-from-behind second half and a final drive where James Franklin put it all on the line and had it pay off.

Chaotic first half puts pressure on Penn State

After a Nittany Lion three-and-out, the Golden Gophers got on the scoreboard first with an emphatic opening drive. Minnesota took the ball 70 yards in nine plays, with 45 yards coming on the ground. The drive was capped off with a 20-yard rush from Gopher running back Marcus Major.

© Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Penn State offense struggled early to move the ball on the stout Minnesota defense. Punting on its second series, the Nittany Lions squandered excellent field position on their third. Getting the ball at midfield, the offense failed to convert a 4th and 4 at the Minnesota 33 after Drew Allar was sacked for a 12-yard loss.

The Gophers took advantage of Penn State’s missed opportunity. Quarterback Max Brosmer sparked another scoring drive with a 23-yard pass to Daniel Jackson on third down to help set up a Minnesota field goal.

The fourth time was the charm for Andy Kotelnicki and the Nittany Lions offense, quickly responding with a two-minute touchdown drive. Going 75 yards in five plays, Allar connected with Omari Evans for a 45-yard touchdown toss.

Drew Allar finds Omari Evans wide open for a 45 yard touchdown, Evans first since Kent State

Minnesota 10, Penn State 7 pic.twitter.com/COpNBt4SrV

— Micheal Bolger (@MichealBolger) November 23, 2024

The Nittany Lions defense then fully swung the momentum in Penn State’s direction, with a Dom DeLuca interception setting up the offense on the verge of the red zone. Another sack stalled possession, but a season-best 45-yard field from Ryan Barker tied the game at 10 midway through the second quarter.

But the first half would come to a close with a chaotic final 90 seconds. Punting from the Nittany Lions end zone, Riley Thompson had his punt blocked by Derik LeCaptain, setting up Minnesota at the Penn State 21. It only took one play – a double reverse – for the Gophers to find the end zone.

© Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

With 1:03 on the clock, Allar drove the Nittany Lions 75 yards down the field in under 45 seconds, albeit with the assistance of a questionable pass interference call. Allar cashed in the possession with a four-yard scramble. But a missed assignment on the ensuing extra point led to an easy block by Jack Henderson, which he took the other way for two points.

Six quarters away from a College Football Playoff bid, Minnesota led 19-16 going into halftime.

Nittany Lions hold on to win nail-biter, earn win No. 10

Halftime wasn’t fully able to stop the bleeding for Penn State football. The Golden Gophers opened the second half with a five-minute possession, driving the ball 51 yards down the field. The Nittany Lions defense stood firm on the door of the red zone, holding Minnesota to a 42-yard field goal.

After trading punts, the field finally opened up for the Nittany Lions. Allar connected with Tyler Warren on three consecutive plays for 30 yards to put the ball on the Minnesota 27.

Nicholas Singleton then broke rushes of 15 and 12 yards, the latter of which gave Penn State football its first lead of the day, 23-22.

Nick Singleton punches it in, and Penn State pulls ahead
pic.twitter.com/yLDb5dbBEd

— Joel Haas (@Joel_Haas1) November 23, 2024

The fourth quarter started with another massive play for the Nittany Lions defense. A fumbled pitch attempt from Max Brosmer led to a Minnesota fumble, recovered by Zakee Wheatley at the Gophers’ 41 yard line. The offense wasn’t able to turn the second turnover of the day into six, but was able to tack on three to make it a 26-22 game.

Minnesota was able to respond, methodically driving the ball 67 yards on 11 plays and using almost six minutes of game time. But the Penn State defense stood firm with its back against the goal line, only allowing a field goal.

James Franklin then made a decision that could either save or sink the Nittany Lions’ postseason hopes. Facing a three-and-out at his own 34-yard line, Penn State opted for a fake punt to freshman Luke Reynolds, which broke loose for a gain of 32 yards.

Oyster Boy 🦪

2024 All-American Luke Reynolds (@reynolds12_luke) picks up the first down for @PennStateFball #NavyAAB 🇺🇸 @AmericasNavy

pic.twitter.com/7RTf9OT56P

— Navy All-American Bowl (@AABonNBC) November 23, 2024

Later facing two 4th and 1 plays from inside the Minnesota 25, the Nittany Lions chose to keep the offense on the field. The final play, an 11-yard pass to Warren, sealed the win and kept Penn State’s postseason hopes alive.

That'll do it 🙌

Drew Allar finds Tyler Warren on 4th down to seal No. 4 @PennStateFball's win at Minnesota.#B1GFootball pic.twitter.com/E5jI2K8JBY

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 23, 2024

Final Stats

Penn State:

• Total yards – 361
• Rushing yards – 117
• Passing yards – 244
• Average yards per play – 5.9

Individual leaders:

• Passing – Drew Allar: 21-28, 244 yards, 1 touchdown
• Rushing – Nicholas Singleton: 13 carries, 63 yards, 1 touchdown
• Receiving – Tyler Warren: 8 receptions, 102 yards
• Tackles – Jaylen Reed: 10 tackles (4 solo)

Minnesota:

• Total yards – 281
• Rushing yards – 106
• Passing yards – 175
• Average yards per play – 4.8

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