3 takeaways from Penn State’s dramatic overtime win over USC

Penn State is safely through to 6-0, coming up with multiple clutch plays in a road win over USC. It was far from a flawless outing, but considering the Nittany Lions fell behind 20-6, getting out of Los Angeles with the 33-30 victory should not be taken lightly.

Saturday’s game also proved to be a tale of 2 different head coaches. While James Franklin was slammed on social media for struggling against the unranked Trojans, his team can sleep soundly tonight with an unblemished record and clear path to the Big Ten Championship Game and potential Playoff birth.

Meanwhile, USC head coach Lincoln Riley must once again answer for missed opportunities. Squandering a 14-point lead at home and watching his defense unable to close the deal on a pair of 4th downs, combined with the awful overtime possession, is not going to do anything for fans of the Trojans.

For now, here are the key takeaways from a dramatic Week 7 affair:

USC controls the ground throughout

You may not have expected a Lincoln Riley-led team to control the rushing game in this kind of matchup, but that’s exactly what played out Saturday afternoon. Quinten Joyner started things off with an electric 75-yard touchdown, but it was about more than just the long-range score in this one.

Outside of Joyner’s big carry, Woody Marks was able to pick up key yardage time and time again. He carried the ball 20 times for 111 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per carry against what has been one of the best defenses in the country.

On the other side of the ball, the Trojan defense clamped down on the Nittany Lions in a big way. While star running back Nicholas Singleton did return, it did not lead to a very efficient performance from Penn State’s rushing attack.

Singleton ended the game with just 26 yards rushing on 10 carries while Kaytron Allen delivered 56 yards on 16 carries. In fact, it was a couple of key scrambles and carries from Drew Allar that were Penn State’s biggest runs of the game.

All in all, that’s the kind of strong defensive performance USC needed to suck the explosiveness out of the Nittany Lions.

Drew Allar rallies

It should be said that Allar’s 3rd interception of the game came on a Hail Mary at the end of regulation. However, his other 2 interceptions were legitimate mistakes, but he was able to rally.

Trailing by a touchdown late in the 4th, Allar was able to put together a sustained drive for the Nittany Lions. He led Penn State on a 12-play, 75-yard drive to tie the game, and that drive alone contained plenty of drama.

Allar was 0-for-2 passing on 3rd downs on the crucial drive, but he made up for that by going 2-for-2 on 4th down for 33 yards. Both times, Allar converted to Julian Fleming to keep the drive rolling.

The traditional pocket passer also scrambled for 9 yards after his 2nd conversion, setting up a short 2nd-and-1. Penn State used that play to set up a pitch-and-catch pass to Nicholas Singleton who would roll for the game-tying score.

When it was all said and done, Allar finished 30-for-43 through the air for 391 yards, 2 touchdowns and his 3 interceptions along with 32 yards on the ground. It’s not the kind of game he wants for taking care of the ball, but he was able to take the deep shots and find his guys when needed.

Tyler Warren shatters record

Warren has long established himself as one of the best tight ends in the country and arguably the most versatile players around. He took that a step further on Saturday, lining up at TE, WR, RB, QB and center against the Trojans.

In addition to his versatility, Warren was by far the best weapon for the Nittany Lions. He shattered Penn State’s single-game record for receptions with 17, blowing past the previous record of 14 set by DaeSean Hamilton.

Warren even took a run at Jahan Dotson’s single-game record for receiving yards but ultimately came up just shy with 224 receiving yards and one crucial touchdown. It will still go down as one of the best individual performances in Penn State’s history and certainly the new standard for a TE with the Nittany Lions.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.