HIGHLIGHTS: No. 4 Penn State football wins overtime walk-off at USC

Penn State football passed its conference road test of the season, defeating USC 33-30 in overtime. Traveling across the continental United States, the Nittany Lions used Saturday as an opportunity to reverse notable unfavorable narratives, both at the national level and inherent to James Franklin and his football program.

The Nittany Lions defied an unsurprising, yet concerning developing trend in the inaugural season of coast-to-coast Big Ten play, becoming only the second team to win a game traveling two-plus time zones. Not immune to the West Coast jet lag, Penn State had to battle from 14 points down at the half in order to win.

Perhaps more importantly, James Franklin and Penn State football defeated the stigma of a program that is incapable of winning major games, particularly on the road. Saturday was the first time that the Nittany Lions won on the road ranked inside the top four nationally since 2017.

Lackadaisical start from the Lions

After forcing USC to punt on its first possession of the game, Penn State kicked off the scoring with a Ryan Barker field goal. Andy Kotelnicki went deep into his bag of tricks on the Nittany Lions’ opening possession, targeting Tyler Warren five times through the air for 46 yards and once on the ground for four yards. Warren had a two-yard touchdown reception called back for a pass interference call on Julian Fleming.

© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

However, the Trojans quickly responded, with Quinten Joyner taking a reverse 75 yards to the house on the next play from scrimmage. The Nittany Lions were forced to punt after the following drive stalled at midfield, and USC extended the lead to 14-3 with a seven play, 89-yard drive scoring drive, again capped off with a Joyner touchdown. The lead was extended to 14 after a Drew Allar pass was intercepted and returned 32 yards, eventually leading to a USC field goal.

© Alex Disabella / Basic Blues Nation, 2024.

It wasn’t until under the six minute mark that the Penn State offense was able to string together a drive again, taking the ball 64 yards to the USC 16-yard line. But once again, the Nittany Lions stalled in the red zone, leading to another Barker field goal to cut the margin to 11 at the two minute warning. The Trojans were then able to quickly move into Penn State territory, but ultimately kicked a field goal to take a 20-6 lead into the half.

Warren, Allar fuel Penn State comeback

© Alex Disabella / Basic Blues Nation, 2024.

The Nittany Lions offense came out with a purpose in the second half, putting its first touchdown up in the third quarter’s first two minutes. The five play, 75-yard drive was capped with a 32-yard double pass from Beau Pribula to Allar to Warren to cut the Trojans’ lead to seven.

© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

After forcing a USC punt on its opening third quarter possession, Allar led a masterful eight play, 90 yard drive to tie the game at 20. The junior went 4-4 on the drive, including three passes of over 15 yards, before Kaytron Allen smashed the ball across the goal line for six points.

With the chance to take the lead for the first time since the Nittany Lions’ opening possession of the game, Allar threw his second interception of the day on the drive’s first play. The turnover lead to another USC field goal, allowing the Trojans to regain the lead heading into the fourth quarter. The lead would only be temporary, however, as Barker’s third field goal of the day tied the score at 23 with just under 11 minutes remaining.

© Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Nittany Lions defense was able to contain the USC offense the entire second half, but the Trojans finally broke through at the midway point of the fourth quarter. Running back Woody Marks had 41 of 75 yards on a nine play scoring drive, which ended with a Miller Moss touchdown pass to Kyron Hudson.

But Penn State football was not done yet. The Nittany Lions would be down to their last play twice, before two fourth down conversions to Julian Fleming helped lead to a 14-yard touchdown reception by Nicholas Singleton. The score capped a 12-play, 75-yard drive and tied the game at 30 with 2:53 remaining.

© Alex Disabella / Basic Blues Nation, 2024.

USC reclaimed possession looking to repeat a history against the Nittany Lions, but Tom Allen and the Nittany Lions defense found another stand. Jaylen Reed intercepted Trojans quarterback Miller Moss, giving Penn State one final shot at the end zone with five seconds remaining. Allar’s Hail Mary was ultimately intercepted, forcing overtime.

On defense first in the extra period, the Penn State stood up the Trojans yet again, forcing a failed 45-yard field goal. A conservative three plays from the Nittany Lions gave Barker a look at a 36 yard field goal and chance to win the game. Barker’s fourth attempt of the day was true, and Penn State football won in walk-off fashion, 33-30.

Final Stats

Penn State:

• Total yards – 518
• Rushing yards – 118
• Passing yards – 400
• Average yards per play – 6.9

Individual leaders:

• Passing – Drew Allar: 30-43, 391 yards, two touchdowns, three interceptions
• Rushing – Kaytron Allen: 16 carries, 56 yards, one touchdown
• Receiving – Tyler Warren: 17 receptions, 224 yards, one touchdown
• Tackles – Kobe King: seven tackles (five solo)

USC:

• Total yards – 409
• Rushing yards – 189
• Passing yards – 220
• Average yards per play – 7.1

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