HIGHLIGHTS: Penn State football loses Drew Allar, rallies late to beat Wisconsin

For the second game in a row, Penn State football overcame a halftime deficit, taking down Wisconsin 28-13 in Madison. However, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions potentially lost something far more valuable to its Big Ten title and College Football Playoff hopes: Drew Allar. Losing its star quarterback to injury at the end of the first half, Penn State turned to backup Beau Pribula to lead a second straight come-from-behind victory.

The Nittany Lions were down 10-7 with under seven minutes remaining in the third quarter but scored the final 21 points of the game to emerge with the win. Moving to 7-0 on the season, Penn State now turns its full attention to the health of its quarterback and the No. 4 Ohio State Buckeyes, who will come to town next weekend.

Bad bounces put Penn State down early

Vowing for a faster start during the bye week, the Nittany Lions defense forced the Badgers to punt eight plays into the opening series. However, Wisconsin punter Atticus Bertrams found 15 yards of green grass after stepping out of the way of a block attempt, giving the drive new life. The eventual 12-play, 42-yard drive was capped off with a 50-yard field goal from Nathanial Vakos.

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

After turning the ball over on downs on its first offensive possession, Penn State capitalized on its second series. The Nittany Lions drove 90 yards in nine plays, led by Drew Allar, who went 7-7 for 83 yards on the possession. Banged up earlier in the month, Nicholas Singleton made a statement on the drive with a 27-yard reception and a spectacular one-handed touchdown reception to give Penn State the 7-3 lead. 

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The remainder of the second quarter turned into a defensive slugfest, until Wisconsin strung together a 10-play, 73-yard touchdown drive as the half ticked down. Stopped on the goal line, the Nittany Lions were flagged for having 12 defenders on the field on a critical third down. With another opportunity at the end zone, Badgers star running back Tawee Walker found pay-dirt to put Wisconsin up 10-7 with 1:23 remaining.

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Unable to find a quick response, Penn State football went into the locker room down and with a potentially battered quarterback. Allar walked gingerly off the Camp Randall turf early after appearing to go down awkwardly on a sack on the final series of the half.

Drew Allar sidelined: Pribula, defense leads Lions in second half

Drew Allar came out and attempted to warm up after the half but was ultimately unable to go. Backup Beau Pribula was able to put the Wisconsin defense on its heels with the threat of his legs but struggled early with his arm, starting the second half 3-5 for 18 yards.

Penn State was unable to get into the red zone on its first two possessions of the second half, but it was able to flip the field and pin Wisconsin deep in its own territory.

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Nittany Lions defense took advantage of the opportunity, with Jaylen Reed intercepting quarterback Braedyn Locke and taking it back 19 yards for a touchdown.

The Badgers were able to bounce back from the turnover, capitalizing on a short field to drive 51 yards to tack on a second field goal and bring the score within one.

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

By the time the third quarter turned into the fourth, Andy Kotelnicki and the Penn State offense had found a rhythm with their new quarterback. Pribula went 4-4 for 47 yards through the air and added 17 on the ground, capping off an 81-yard scoring drive with a one-yard touchdown pass to Khalil Dinkins.

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Forcing a quick Badger three-and-out, the Nittany Lion running game finally broke through late in the fourth quarter. Penn State went 76 yards on nine plays, culminating with a 24-yard Kaytron Allen touchdown. The Nittany Lions led 14-13 with 2:44 in the third quarter. After two drives chewing up nearly 13 minutes of game time, Penn State football made it a 28-13 game with 3:10 remaining, and ultimately hanging on for the win.

Final Stats

Penn State:

• Total yards – 419
• Rushing yards – 173
• Passing yards – 246
• Average yards per play – 6.3

Individual leaders:

• Passing – Drew Allar: 14-18, 148 yards, 1 touchdown
• Rushing – Kaytron Allen: 11 carries, 86 yards, 1 touchdown
• Receiving – Harrison Wallace: 5 receptions, 67 yards; Tyler Warren: 7 receptions, 46 yards
• Tackles – Zakee Wheatley: 10 total tackles (8 solo)

Wisconsin:

• Total yards – 298
• Rushing yards – 81
• Passing yards – 217
• Average yards per play – 4.3

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