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Penn State quarterback Drew Allar (15) avoids a tackle-attempt by Washington defensive lineman Jacob Bandes (55) during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in State College, Pa.
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Penn State’s offense bounces back in complete performance against Washington

AP

Penn State’s offense bounces back in complete performance against Washington

Following Penn State’s 20-13 loss to Ohio State at Beaver Stadium last Saturday, running back Kaytron Allen stayed in the locker room watching film from the game.

After reviewing the tape, he came away with one simple takeaway:

“We just gotta get in the end zone.”

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The Nittany Lions did just that against Washington, with touchdowns on each of the first four drives, including one from Allen. They took a 28-0 lead into halftime, tied for their largest halftime lead of the season, matched only by their performance against Kent State.

Penn State tight end Tyler Warren (44) celebrates after a touchdown during the second quarter of an NCAA college football game against Washington, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, in State College, Pa.
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Many of the issues plaguing Penn State’s offense disappeared in the 35-6 win over Washington on Saturday night. In front of a White Out crowd of 110,000, the wide receivers got involved, the running backs brought back their explosiveness and the play-calling got the ball in the hands of the best players, all while the team avoided the slow starts it's been known for this season.

Quarterback Drew Allar called it “the most complete half” Penn State has played this season.

“I think we just played very good complementary football in the first half,” Allar said. “And the second half could have been better, for sure, little things on the first two drives.”

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One of those little things included a fumble by tight end Tyler Warren, resulting in the team’s first drive without a touchdown.

“That's on me stopping that drive with that fumble. So that's something I’ve got to work on and look back at,” Warren said. “But I think if I don't fumble, we probably keep it rolling in the second half, too. So that's something I gotta work on.”

Warren finished with eight catches for 75 yards and had two rushing touchdowns, adding to his case for some major national awards this season. Head coach James Franklin spearheaded Warren’s case, saying he should win the John Mackey and Paul Hornung Awards.

Warren also added to his list of records, breaking Mike Gesicki’s marks for most receptions and most receiving yards in a season by a tight end.

“We're super creative on offense. I think you've seen that in many, many different ways throughout the year,” Allar said. “And obviously, he's our best playmaker on offense and the best tight end in the country, and we're going to get him involved in the game somehow, in some way, in some form or capacity.”

Elsewhere, wide receiver Harrison Wallace III had five catches for 84 yards in a bounce-back performance, Liam Clifford had a 20-yard reception and Julian Fleming hauled in his first touchdown as a Nittany Lion. According to Allar, they also made major impacts off the stat sheet.

“[The receivers] played really well today. What's not going to get noticed is how well they blocked in the perimeter. You know, they do a lot of the dirty work,” Allar said. “Obviously, they all want stats. We all want stats at the end of the day, but they're doing the necessary stuff to help us play really good team football and win games.”

The run game combined for 266 yards on 40 carries, highlighted by freshman Corey Smith’s 78-yard run in the fourth quarter. Allen paced the team with 29 carries for 98 yards, while Nick Singleton contributed 45 yards on seven touches, adding three catches for 14 yards. Singleton left the game midway through the third quarter, though Franklin had no update on his status after the game.

It marked the first time since the Illinois game that Penn State finished with more rushing yards than passing yards, a 266-220 advantage.

“Do your job. The main focus we had going into the game, do your job,” Allen said. “Everybody doing their job down there.”

First Published: November 10, 2024, 2:29 p.m.
Updated: November 10, 2024, 3:55 p.m.

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