Penn State vs. USA Wisconsin Report Card

Penn State coach James Franklin was right about that.

“It was one of the best and ugliest wins we’ve ever had,” Franklin told reporters at Camp Randall Stadium after the Nittany Lions game 28-13 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday evening.

Once again, Penn State racked up some nerves early, scoring 10 points for the Badgers after several mistakes and improvised special teams play, losing three starters (including quarterback Drew Allar) and running into walls with their running backs. But the Nittany Lions have been here before. They won their second consecutive away match in which they won he was losing until the breakthis time with even more hands tied behind his back.

So before Penn State hosts Ohio State next week (Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard). he says he’s “horny”), a look at the Nittany Lions’ team report after their third road win of the season.

CRIME: A-

Quarterbacks Drew Allar and Beau Pribula combined to complete 25 of 31 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns. A pretty good day in itself. But take into account the fact that Pribula replaced the injured Allar in the second half with a deficit and the performance takes on new meaning. It could have been a repeat of Penn State’s loss at Iowa in 2021, when backup Ta’Quan Roberson replaced the injured Sean Clifford. But Pribula sharpened his nerves and found a good throwing rhythm, at one point completing 10 passes in a row.

Pribula (11 of 13) created the menacing shot that Penn State desperately needed to get the run game going, which flourished when he was on the front foot. Kaytron Allen (11 carries, 86 yards) looked reborn in the second half, Nicholas Singleton made a breathtaking one-handed touchdown catch, and coordinator Andy Kotelnicki made another drop: Allen’s second-half Wildcat touchdown was a thing of beauty, called and executed in a timely manner perfection. This is also thanks to the right striker Nolan Rucci, who replaced the injured Anthony Donkoh at his previous stadium (Rucci moved from Wisconsin) and played well.

DEFENSE: B+

Yes, the first half was once again a bit chaotic as Wisconsin took a 10-7 lead at halftime, scoring its only touchdown thanks to a 12-man penalty against Penn State. At halftime, however, the Nittany Lions continue their defensive transformation. Safety Jaylen Reed turned the game around with a third-quarter pick-6 (his second significant interception in as many games), and the Nittany Lions managed just a field goal in the second half.

Wisconsin rushed for 81 yards and just 10 in the second half, and coach Luke Fickell pointed to the first-down efficiency as a game-changer. The Badgers averaged 2.3 yards on first down, which led to problems on second and third downs. Defensive tackle Alonzo Ford Jr. he made two tackles for loss in the same series to help alleviate Dani Dennis-Sutton’s offense, and safety Zakee Wheatley punctuated the win with a fourth down.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C

Wisconsin competitor Atticus Bertrams took advantage of his first attempt with the strangest boat you’ll ever see. Praise him for this. But otherwise, Penn State’s special teams were mediocre. Wisconsin had a couple of decent punt returns (one was denied by a penalty), Singleton jumped on the kickoff and Zion Tracy, who returned the punts, had a 17-yard return because his knee went down. Moreover, several of Riley Thompson’s boats were low and returnable.

COACHING: A-

Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki built his game plan around Allar, but quickly changed course when Pribula took over. He gave Pribula some planned runs, but also trusted his quarterback with his throws. Reusing tight end Tyler Warren on Wildcat plays in the red zone was smart and helped Pribula get a touchdown pass to Khalil Dinkins. And that Allen’s Wildcat pass was perfectly timed and executed, resulting in a 24-yard score. Defensive coordinator Tom Allen must be a wizard in the locker room at halftime because his team takes on a new personality in the second half.

OVERALL: A-

Franklin called it a “bold cultural victory” for Penn State, and it was. Obstacles continued to pile up against the Nittany Lions until Reed turned them into opportunities with his interception. And now Penn State, which has a remarkable three road wins this season, returns home for the first time in a month to play against Ohio State.

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