Penn State opens scoring vs. SMU on Dominic DeLuca pick-6
Penn State’s defense has staked the Nittany Lions to a 7-0 lead over SMU with just over 6 minutes remaining in the 1st quarter of their first-round College Football Playoff contest.
Dominic DeLuca put the hosts in front with a pick-6, getting in front of a Mustangs receiver and taking a Kevin Jennings pass 23 yards the other way for a score.
Here’s video of DeLuca’s interception return, just the 4th interception of his career and his 2nd pick-6:
PENN STATE PICK SIX. 7-0 lead. pic.twitter.com/4FtkotxeF5
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) December 21, 2024
Penn State’s offense had gotten off to a little of a slow start. After going 3-and-out on its opening drive, it was forced to punt once more after a second drive stalled out.
But the Nittany Lions defense has them up on the Mustangs at a frigid Beaver Stadium. Windchills in Happy Valley are set to be in the teens, making for a cold affair in State College for this matchup.
That ended up being the only scoring of the first quarter. It was Penn State 7, SMU 0 through 15 minutes.
Both teams are making their first-ever Playoff appearance.