Penn State 27, Rutgers 6: Drew Allar Injured in Nittany Lions Victory
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. | Penn State labored to a 27-6 victory over Rutgers on Saturday, a game that starting quarterback Drew Allar left with a second-half injury. Quarterback Beau Pribula brought the rickety offense home, as the Nittany Lions ran on 17 consecutive plays following Allar's injury. Still, Kaytron Allen ran for two touchdowns and the defense forced two second-half turnovers to secure the victory.
Here's the breakdown from Beaver Stadium, where Rutgers still hasn't scored a touchdown in five visits since joining the Big Ten.
Drew Allar Leaves Game With Injury
Allar lowered his right shoulder on a third-quarter draw, gaining a first down but getting up in clear pain. He threw the next pass into the sideline and left the game for the injury tent. Allar emerged from the tent grasping his right shoulder and trying to rotate his arm. He did not re-enter the game.
Allar struggled offensively under first-game coordinators Ja'Juan Seider and Ty Howle, completing 6 of 13 passes for 79 yards. He made a strong third-down conversion throw to Liam Clifford and improvised for another conversion to Theo Johnson. But once again, Allar faced resistance from his pass-catchers, who ran several incorrect routes and dropped a third-down conversion.
The Turning Point
Defensive end Chop Robinson played a fiery game, peaking with a third-quarter sack-fumble sequence that effectively ended the game. Robinson launched himself around Rutgers' line, sacking quarterback Gavin Wimsatt and forcing a fumble. Robinson then demonstrated amazing agility to recover the fumble. Penn State's offense capitalized, with Kaytron Allen rushing for his second touchdown of the game. Robinson dominated Rutgers' front, finishing with five solo tackles (two for loss) and a hurry.
Beau Pribula Takes Over the Offense
On his first play after taking over for Allar, Pribula stunned Rutgers' defense with a 39-yard gain, tied for Penn State's longest of the season. However, the coaching staff had little interest in having Pribula throw with a lead. The Lions ran inside the Rutgers 10-yard line on three consecutive plays, including a 4th-and-1 quarterback sneak attempt from 4-yard line. Rutgers stuff Pribula, and received a favorable spot, to halt the drive.
Following Allar's injury, Penn State ran 17 consecutive times, with Pribula getting six of those carries. He broke the streak with an RPO completion to Tyler Warren in the fourth quarter. Pribula rushed for a 1-yard touchdown, after adroitly recovering his own fumble, in the fourth quarter.
Nicholas Singleton Rebounds From Rough First Half
The running back carried five times for 9 yards and lost a fumble in the first half as Penn State was driving. Singleton also either didn't see, or didn't choose, a huge cutback lane in the red zone that could have produced a touchdown. He rebounded in the second half, gaining the corner for a 20-yard gain and finishing with 61 yards on 11 carries. Singleton also delivered a strong lead block on Allen's second touchdown run.
Penalties Sting Rutgers
Rutgers, seeking its first touchdown at Beaver Stadium as a Big Ten member, self-inflicted two key red-zone wounds. The Knights' strong first possession took a huge hit from a holding penalty that negated a Wimsatt rush to the 1-yard line. Rutgers reached the Penn State 7-yard late in the second quarter but committed two penalties (Penn State accepted the holding) to stall the drive and prompt a second field goal.
Third Down an Early Defensive Issue
Michigan attacked Penn State with its third-down run game last week, and Rutgers followed the early script. Wimsatt converted third-down runs of 22 and 11 yards, the former on 3rd-and-10. Those conversions led Rutgers to produce the longest scoring drive in terms of plays (14) and time (9:01) against Penn State this season. Alas, the Knights managed just a field goal.
Noteworthy
Penn State safety KJ Winston made his first career interception, sniffing out a short pass on 3rd-and-22.
The Lions forced three turnovers (Dani Dennis-Sutton recovered a fumble) and scored 17 points off them.
Kicker Alex Felkins made a 40-yard field goal when the game was still uneasy, giving the Lions a 13-6 lead. Felkins also replaced Gabriel Nwosu on kickoffs.
Penn State rushed for 234 yards, its highest total in the Big Ten this season.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Penn State's leading receiver, did not catch a pass and wasn't targeted. Lambert-Smith has one reception in his last two games.
Penn State won its 17th consecutive game over Rutgers.
Injury Report
Receiver Harrison Wallace III missed his third consecutive game following the injury he sustained against Indiana. Wallace has dealt with injuries all season, missing four games and being limited in several others. Wallace's absence has had a significant impact on the receivers' room.
Up Next
Penn State concludes the regular season against Michigan State on Nov. 24. The Friday-night game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Ford Field in Detroit.
More Penn State Football
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How Penn State's offense will operate without Mike Yurcich
Drew Allar maintains a 'strong presence' through change
What we know about Penn State's offensive coordinator search
Potential candidates for Penn State's next offensive coordinator
James Franklin remains 'hopeful and excited' about Penn State's future
Ja'Juan Seider, Ty Howle take over as offensive coordinators for Penn State
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