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Penn State Football vs. Buffalo: Nittany Lions Roll Big at Beaver Stadium

No. 14 Penn State unleashed a big-play offense against the Bulls in moving to 3-0.
Mark Wogenrich|
Penn State Nittany Lions running back James Peoples (1) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bulls at Beaver Stadium.
Penn State Nittany Lions running back James Peoples (1) runs with the ball during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bulls at Beaver Stadium. | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

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STATE COLLEGE | Penn State punctuated its non-conference schedule with a 55-13 rout of overmatched Buffalo on a day that raised expectations for the run game and begged the question, “How good is this defense, really?”

The No. 14 Nittany Lions have allowed just two touchdowns in three games, neither of which the first-team defense gave up. And in the run game, Penn State made the argument that any of three backs could start.

The rapid reaction from Beaver Stadium after Penn State improved to 3-0.

Quinton Martin Jr. looked the part. On his second carry of the game, Martin stiff-armed a safety for a 61-yard gain that was nearly four times longer than the Nittany Lions’ previous best of the season. Martin went over 100 yards in the second half and looked to be the fastest, most agile of the three backs. Fellow backs James Peoples and Carson Hansen averaged 7.4 yards per carry each, though, so the position is far from settled.

Koby Howard is a big-play machine. The Penn State receiver added receptions of 70 and 31 yards in the first half, giving him six of the Nittany Lions’ seven longest catches of the season. Howard averaged nearly 34 yards per touch, including a 20-yard run on a reverse, and established himself as Penn State’s explosive playmaker.

What to make of Penn State’s defense? Though this wasn’t a fair fight, Penn State’s defense still dominated. The Nittany Lions forced seven three-and-outs in the first half, when they also recovered a fumble. Penn State’s starting defense forced two turnovers, made four tackles for loss and broke up five tackles. Notably, Buffalo’s breakout receiver Chance Morrow, who entered the game with 18 receptions and five touchdowns, caught one pass on six targets.

Two injury situations to watch. Center Brock Riker played the first two series before ceding to Vaea Ikakoula, who played most of the significant snaps thereafter. Quarterback Rocco Becht had a few minor issues with snaps (dropping one) and saw a bit more pressure up the middle without Riker. And tight end Andrew Rappleyea left the game in the second quarter after making a catch. He watched the second half from the sideline.

Fourth-quarter score update: Penn State 54, Buffalo 6

Running back Cam Wallace wouldn't be left off the stat sheet, breaking a 59-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter. Wallace's run was Penn State's third of 20+ yards in the game. The Nittany Lions entered Saturday as the Big Ten's only team without a 20-yard carry.

Third-quarter score update: Penn State 48, Buffalo 6

Running back James Peoples became the fifth different Nittany Lion to score a touchdown, following the second-team line on an 11-yard run. Backup quarterback Alex Manske took over on a short field, after safety Marcus Neal Jr. (whose nickname is Shark) forced and recovered a fumble. It was Penn State's second forced turnover of the game.

Tight end Andrew Rappleyea, center Brock Riker done for the day

Penn State tight end Andrew Rappleyea is on the sideline and not wearing a jersey for the second half. Rappleyea left the game in the second quarter holding a hand and did not play after that.

Center Brock Riker also left the game in the first quarter after playing two series. Vaea Ikakoula has been Penn State's center since.

Third-quarter score update: Penn State 41, Buffalo 6

Quarterback Rocco Becht's day is likely done after leading Penn State to a 7-play, 75-yard scoring drive, which running back Carson Hansen capped with a 12-yard touchdown run. Nice block by left tackle Malachi Goodman on the play.

Four different Penn State players have scored touchdowns, two by receiver Koby Howard. And Penn State added another big play on the series, with Chase Sowell catching a 35-yard jump ball downfield.

First-half recap: Penn State 34, Buffalo 6

Penn State rolled to a 28-point halftime on the strength of explosive plays. The Nittany Lions' offense generated six plays of at least 16 yards, including their two longest plays of the season. Some quick thoughts:

  • Rocco Becht and Koby Howard have a connection: Becht saw Howard being covered by a linebacker in the second quarter and capitalized. Their 70-yard touchdown connection was Penn State's longest play of the season.
  • Quinton Martin Jr. finally got a first-half look and made the most of it. He broke Penn State's longest run of the season, a 61-yarder that got inside the 10-yard line. Martin is the most dynamic of Penn State's backs, though all three (Carson Hansen and James Peoples) had some pop rushing against Buffalo's weaker outside defense.
  • However, Penn State's red-zone offense continues to be erratic. The Nittany Lions settled for another red-zone field goal in the first quarter but also generated three touchdowns.
  • Defensive end Yvan Kemajou is growing into his role as the lead edge rusher. Kemajou had a terrific first half, pressuring Buffalo quarterback Jason Wright into a 9-for-21 first half. Kemajou (one tackle for loss, two hurries) was partly why Buffalo receiver Chance Morrow caught just one pass on five targets. Cornerback Daryus Dixson was another.

Score update: Penn State 34, Buffalo 3

Buffalo got caught covering receiver Koby Howard with a linebacker, so you know that went poorly for the Bulls. Howard blew through his coverage on a post route, and Rocco Becht found him wide open across the middle. Howard had just a safety to beat for a 70-yard touchdown, Penn State's new longest play of the season.

Howard is having a huge game. He has touched the ball four times for 135 yards and a score and is averaging nearly 34 yards per play.

Score update: Penn State 27, Buffalo 3

Penn State entered the game as the Big Ten's only team without a 20-yard run. The Nittany Lions have two in the first half, the latest by Koby Howard on a reverse from quarterback Rocco Becht. The play was blocked up beautifully, and Howard produced his second explosive play of the game.

Notably, tight end Andrew Rappleyea left the game on the series holding a hand after a first-down reception.

Score update: Penn State 20, Buffalo 3

After not touching the ball last week at Temple, Quinton Martin Jr. entered the game late in the first quarter and did not disappoint. On his second carry, Martin stiff-armed a Buffalo safety and went 61 yards for Penn State's longest offensive play this season. But for tripping on his own foot, Martin would have scored. Receiver Brett Eskildsen was beside himself that he didn't.

However, Penn State settled for another field goal, as quarterback Rocco Becht took a 3-yard loss instead of throwing the ball away inside the 5-yard line and then missed Koby Howard in the end zone. Penn State has a red-zone touchdown issue that has emerged over the past two games.

Score update: Penn State 17, Buffalo 3

The Bulls got on the board late in the first quarter, buoyed by two 15-yard defensive penalties on Penn State. The second, a pass-interference penalty, got Buffalo into the red zone, where receiver Chance Morrow took a ball right from Daryus Dixson for a 16-yard catch.

But Penn State's defense stiffened inside the 10-yard line, with linebacker Kooper Ebel stuffing a run and end Yvan Kemajou forcing a frantic throwaway on third down.

Score update: Penn State 17, Buffalo 0

Penn State turned a red-zone turnover into a touchdown this week, as Rocco Becht hit Andrew Rappleyea on third-and-goal a 3-yard touchdown. The Nittany Lions scored on their third straight possession and lead 17-0 with 6:19 still to play in the quarter.

Penn State's defense set up the red-zone drive when Caleb Bacon stripped Buffalo quarterback Jason Wright in the backfield, with Ikenna Ezeogu recovering the fumble. After stalling in the short field against Temple last week, the Nittany Lions turned this turnover into points.

Score update: Penn State 10, Buffalo 0

James Peoples entered at running back on Penn State's second series and delivered his best stretch of the season. Peoples ran four times for 35 yards, capping the drive with a 16-yard touchdown run.

Peoples used the outside zone, which was well blocked, on multiple carries. He had plenty of room on the touchdown carry, running behind Anthony Donkoh and sidestepping a linebacker to the end zone.

The series also featured another explosive catch by receiver Koby Howard, who has four catches of 30+ yards this season.

Score update: Penn State 3, Buffalo 0

The Nittany Lions essentially wasted another first possession, settling for a Ryan Barker 48-yard field goal after getting the ball at the Buffalo 25-yard line. Actually, Zay Robinson put Penn State in that position with a superb 38-yard punt return.

But on third down, quarterback Rocco Becht inexplicably tucked the ball on a thrd-down option, and Buffalo read it perfectly, stuffing him for no gain. It was a bit of a surprise that Penn State coach Matt Campbell chose the field-goal attempt, at the edge of Barker's range, over going for it on fourth down.

Penn State's starting lineups, roster updates

Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Rocco Becht (3) goes through warmups ahead of the Week 2 contest against Temple.
Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Rocco Becht (3) goes through warmups ahead of the Week 2 contest against Temple. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

No changes for Penn State in the starting lineups, save for announcing 13 starters on offense, a move the team made under James Franklin for several years. The team announced three starting tight ends (Ben Brahmer, Andrew Rappleyea and Gabe Burkle) and three receivers (Chase Sowell, Brett Eskildsen and Koby Howard).

The starting offensive line did not change after playing the entire game, save for one series, against Temple. Defensively, Ikenna Ezeogu and Yvan Kemajou will start again, with Siale Taupaki and Keanu Williams inside.

Zion Tracy gets the start at nickelback for the second straight week. At linebacker, Cam Smith is not in uniform for the second straight week. Smith played 17 snaps in the opener vs. Marshall but has not played since. Among other inactives are tight end Cooper Alexander, quarterback Kase Evans and defensive end LaVar Arrington II.

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Mark Wogenrich
MARK WOGENRICH

Mark Wogenrich is the editor and publisher of Penn State on SI, the site for Nittany Lions sports on the Sports Illustrated network. He has covered Penn State sports for more than two decades across three coaching staffs, three Rose Bowls and one College Football Playoff appearance.

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