Takeaways: Penn State football averts upset of its own making

Penn State football traveled to the West Coast last weekend and returned to State College with perhaps a few years taken off the collective lifespan of those in the Lash Building, but undefeated, nonetheless. The Nittany Lions battled back from a 14-point halftime deficit to take down USC 33-30 in overtime, ultimately one of the most thrilling Penn State games in recent memory.

While the game ended up being a feather in the cap of James Franklin and the Nittany Lions, what should we take away from the complete performance as we prepare for the second half of the 2024 season?

Penn State football overcomes another slow start

Penn State football once again had to overcome a slow start, and this one was perhaps the most impressive second half comeback this season. The Nittany Lions have had a tendency to not play their best in the first half in 2024. It has been the offense in some games, the defense in others. Against USC, it was a little bit of both.

Against Bowling Green, Penn State found itself down 24-20 before clamping down defensively in the second half en route to a 34-27 win. A similar situation occurred in the Illinois game when the Nittany Lions were tied with the Illini 7-7 at the half before eventually winning 21-7. Even against a bad UCLA team, Penn State led just 14-3 thanks to a late two minute drive before pulling away for a 27-11 win.

On Saturday, we saw a similar start, except it was magnified by being on the road and against a team with a comparable talent level. Things certainly started well with the defense earning an opening drive stop and the offense marching right down the field. But what appeared to be a touchdown by Tyler Warren was waved off by a questionable offensive pass interference call, and Penn State had to settle for three points.

After USC scored a 75-yard touchdown on the very next play, things starting slipping away from the Nittany Lions, ultimately going into the break down 20-6. However, scores on four of the Nittany Lions’ first five second half possession put Penn State in position to send the game to overtime.

While these slow starts seem to be a common thread, Tom Allen’s defense has made terrific adjustments in the second half this season. Many fans wonder why it has to come to that, and it almost bit Penn State this past week against a USC team that had a similar talent level. What is going to happen in a few weeks against Ohio State when there are even more threats for the Nittany Lions to defend?

Drew Allar legacy drive

There has been much talk about Drew Allar and how he has performed in big games up to this point in his career. While USC is no longer ranked and might not be again this season barring a perfect finish, the Trojans still have a talent level that matches up with Penn State.

Allar overcame three interceptions and drove Penn State football down the field when the team needed him the most to tie the game late in the fourth quarter.

It was something that Penn State fans have been waiting for years to see. Allar finished 30-43 for 391 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions, although one of those interceptions did come on a Hail Mary attempt to end regulation.  He also picked up first downs on some key runs, finishing with four carries for 32 yards and a long of 19.

It was an overall performance that showed why he was the top quarterback in his recruiting class and exactly what his potential could be.

Tyler Warren for Heisman?

Tyler Warren has quickly become one of, if not the greatest tight end, that Penn State football has ever had. He had been overshadowed in previous years by now NFL players Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson, but now has gotten his chance to shine.

Warren broke the Penn State football record for receptions by a tight end in a game on Saturday with 17, going for 224 yards and one touchdown. One of his touchdown receptions was even called back on an offensive pass interference call on the opening drive.

Add in a running play for four yards and a passing play for nine yards to Kaytron Allen, and Warren solidified himself as one of the most versatile players in the country.

The highlight of his day came thanks to the creativity of offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki. The offensive line shifted over and Warren snapped the ball from the tackle/tight end spot to backup quarterback Beau Pribula, who threw a backwards pass to Drew Allar by the sideline. Allar proceeded to hit Tyler Warren in the endzone for an incredible touchdown that included a catch over the helmet of the USC defender.

The Heisman Trophy usually goes to the quarterback on one of the best teams in the country. But Tyler Warren has been one of college football’s most versatile players behind only Travis Hunter of Colorado. He now has 40 catches for 513 yards and four touchdowns, five rushes for 38 yards and a touchdown, and is 2-2 passing for 26 yards and one touchdown. That all adds up to 577 yards and six touchdowns through six games this season.

Maybe that isn’t enough production to win the award, but from the tight end position, a trip to New York would be well deserved if Warren continues to produce.

Ryan Barker is clutch

The Penn State kicking situation looked to be a disaster the first few games of the season. Sander Sahaydak was the starter heading into the season much like last year before Alex Felkins took over after a poor start.

This year must have felt like Groundhog Day, because once again Sahaydak missed multiple 40-yard field goals against Illinois and was 2-5 on the season before James Franklin turned to the redshirt freshman Ryan Barker for the UCLA game.

Barker has been consistent and done everything that Penn State football has asked of him since getting the starting job. Against the Bruins, Barker connected on a 25 and 40 yard field goal in the second half to help the Nittany Lions pull away and put the game on ice in the second half.

Then against USC, Barker connected on 34, 33, and 20 yard field goals, before hitting a game winning 36 yarder in overtime. While none of those kicks were necessarily the longest, the ability to hit kicks inside of 40 yards consistently in the clutch is a must for a team hoping to make the playoff and potentially conference championship game.

James Franklin expressed his appreciation for Barker during his postgame interview on Saturday, mentioning that Barker showed up as a walk-on and just put his head down and continued to get better.

While Barker has a long of 40 yards, it remains to be seen exactly what his accuracy is from 40+. What matters to Penn State fans, though, is that he can make kicks when the team gets into the red zone and needs to come away with points.

Two road tests down, one to go

Heading into the season, most of the college football world pinned the Nittany Lions’ schedule down to four key games. The most obvious one was the home contest against Ohio State, who was and still is considered a national title contender. The other three games were road contests that many thought Penn State football could stumble were at West Virginia, USC, and Wisconsin.

The Nittany Lions cruised to a 34-12 win over the Mountaineers in Week 1 and escaped with a 33-30 overtime win over the Trojans on Saturday. That leaves just one more road game left from that challenging trio. After being on a bye this upcoming Saturday, James Franklin will lead Penn State football to Madison for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff against Wisconsin next Saturday.

Playing a night game at Wisconsin is certainly not ideal, but Penn State should still be the better team in the matchup. Wisconsin has been trending in the right direction and have defeated Purdue and Rutgers by a combined score of 94-13 the past two weeks.

If the Nittany Lions can take down the Badgers at Camp Randall, then even with a loss to Ohio State there is a legitimate path to 11-1 and a Big Ten Championship game appearance. Penn State can almost solidify a College Football Playoff bid over these next two games. But it will start next week in Madison.

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