Tyler Warren breaks down Penn State’s momentum-turning touchdown catch

After perhaps its worst half of football of the entire season, Penn State football turned to its do-it-all weapon to help spark a dramatic 14-point comeback and eventual 33-30 overtime win against USC Saturday afternoon. Unable to cross the goal line through the first 30 minutes of play, Nittany Lions tight end Tyler Warren leaped into the end zone on the fourth play out of the locker room.

The play, ultimately recorded as a 32-yard connection between Drew Allar and Warren, was something you’re more likely to find at your local playground than at the LA Coliseum.

Well into the “Mad Hatter” section of his play card, Andy Kotelnicki’s concoction, which included his star tight end at center and passes from Beau Pribula and Allar, helped jumpstart the stalling Penn State offense. The Nittany Lions outscored USC 27-10 and out-gained the Trojans by a ratio of nearly 2:1 over the final two quarters and overtime.

Tyler Warren may be the first player to snap the ball and score a TD on the same play

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— LandonTengwall (@landon_tengwall) October 12, 2024

“It’s going to sound funny, but we practice that all the time, so it was just doing another job on the play,” Warren said of the snap after the game. “And Drew gave me a chance to go up and make a play. It was a good ball, and I just needed to come down with it.

I think that was a really big drive for us on offense, to come out in the second half and get points on the board with something.”

Penn State football: Tyler Warren speaks after record-setting performance at USC

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Penn State football: Tyler Warren speaks after record-setting performance at USC

A team that couldn’t find big plays in critical spots in 2023, Kotelnicki seems determined to will them into existence this season.

“We talked about one of our keys this week was playing to win and not being conservative,” Warren said. “And he told us as soon as we get across the 50 and get on that side of the field, he was going to call that. And we knew he wasn’t lying, and we were prepared to do it. And we practiced it a bunch of times. So, we heard the call and just executed the play.”

Franklin: Warren now in discussion for best player in country after leading Penn State to victory

Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The opening score of the second half was the pinnacle play in what was yet another historic day for Tyler Warren.

Warren’s 17 receptions and 224 receiving yards are both single-game school records among tight ends, with the latter being second all-time in Penn State football history for all pass catchers. The senior set a new Big Ten record and tied the FBS record for receptions by a tight end.

James Franklin has repeatedly stumped for Tyler Warren as college football’s top tight end. But with his versatility now put on display for a national audience, the Nittany Lions head coach believes the conversation has changed.

“I’ve been talking about him being the best tight end in college football, but the reality is he’s now part of a conversation as one of the best players in college football,” Franklin said.

Now 6-0 and ranked No.3, the stage will only grow for Tyler Warren and the Nittany Lions. Penn State football has its second bye this week before traveling to Wisconsin on October 26.

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