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Penn State is 7-0 for the first time since 2019.
In Madison on Saturday, the third-ranked Nittany Lions lost their starting quarterback, entered the second half trailing one of the Big Ten’s hottest teams, and still managed to walk away with a double-digit victory. Thanks to a 24-yard scamper from Kaytron Allen and clutch play from backup quarterback Beau Pribula, Penn State beat the Badgers 28-13.
The win sets the stage for a top-5 showdown with Ohio State in Happy Valley next weekend.
Penn State outgained Wisconsin 419-298. They held the Badgers to 7-for-18 on third downs and scored off an interception from UW quarterback Braedyn Locke in the third quarter. The defense played well throughout, holding Wisconsin to just 4.3 yards per play.
But the biggest story of the game was Drew Allar, who exited with 53 seconds remaining in the second quarter with a lower-body injury. Allar spent the second half as a spectator, still in uniform but with a towel draped over his head instead of a helmet.
In his place, Pribula stepped in and performed admirably. The sophomore completed 11 of his 13 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 28 yards.
“I’m proud of him. He’s a winner. He accepts his role. Battling every week to be the starting quarterback. Makes plays with his feet, his mind, and his arm,” coach James Franklin told the NBC broadcast on the field after the game. “I just couldn’t be more proud of him. He’s a big-time player and he’s unselfish in a time in college football where a lot of guys are selfish.”
A third-year man, Pribula was appearing in his 18th career game, but he entered Saturday with just 31 career pass attempts. He’s been the backup behind Allar.
In his first real opportunity to go win Penn State a game, he came up huge. With 2:36 to play in the third and Penn State nursing just a 1-point lead, Pribula embarked on a 13-play, 81-yard touchdown drive that took 7:35 off the clock and ended with a 1-yard pass to Khalil Dinkins on third-and-goal for a touchdown.
On the very next possession, Penn State went 76 yards in 9 plays while bleeding 5:15 off the clock.
Now, the attention shifts to Ohio State. Penn State earned the opportunity that sits ahead of it.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.