Highs & Lows: Uneven Nittany Lions wear down Villanova

By Nate Bauer

Penn State improved to 3-0 with a 52-6 win over Villanova on Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium. The performance was at times shaky and other times dominant.

Sorting through the highs and lows of the game, here:

Player of the Game

On an afternoon when the Nittany Lions slogged through another disjointed performance and the defense predictably held serve against an outmatched Villanova squad, there were no statistical or eye-popping standouts on either side of the ball. Still, running back Kaytron Allen’s 10 carries for 86 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown, are enough to warrant the honor. Putting together an outstanding start to his senior season, the senior running back has repeatedly demonstrated his improvements made through the offseason.

Play of the Game

Talk about threading the needle. With seconds winding down at the end of the first half, senior quarterback Drew Allar unleashed a gem to senior receiver Trebor Peña, splitting two Villanova defensive backs to deliver a much-needed boost going into the locker room. The 23-yard touchdown strike gave the Nittany Lions a 21-0 edge.

Penn State offensive superlatives

Best Pass

Allar’s touchdown to Pena takes the category, but we’ll hand out another since it also doubles as the play of the game.

Best Run

Allen continued to build on his early-season momentum with a run that has almost become predictable. Wearing down Villanova’s defense alongside fellow senior Nicholas Singleton (29 combined carries), Allen cashed in with a beautiful juke, following blocks into the end zone for an 18-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. The score pushed Penn State’s lead to 38-0 with 10:43 remaining.

Best Catch

After a choppy first half, Penn State’s passing game found life. Allar’s perfectly timed ball to senior receiver Kyron Hudson was rewarded with a hands-only snag along the sideline. The catch moved the chains and set up Allar’s touchdown pass to Peña on the next play.

Worst Drop

The pass was more than good enough. On third-and-6 at the 11-yard line late in the second quarter, Allar found Peña on the out route. But with a defender in tight coverage, Peña couldn’t haul it in. The drop forced Penn State to settle for a field goal to make it 13-0.

Defensive superlatives

Best Sack

With his options covered, Villanova quarterback Tanner Maddocks tried to buy time with a pump fake. It didn’t work. Penn State linebacker Tony Rojas closed quickly, swallowing Maddocks for a 7-yard loss to force fourth down and a punt.

Best Interception

Allar worked through his progressions before dumping off to Kaytron Allen in the flat. The ball floated just enough for Villanova’s Omari Bursey to jump in front and grab an interception, stalling another Penn State red-zone trip midway through the third quarter.

Best Hit

Zahmir Dawud’s leveling of Penn State tight end Luke Reynolds almost didn’t count. Initially flagged for targeting, the call was overturned on review, leaving Penn State with a manageable third-and-1 at the Villanova 49 in the final minute of the first half.

Best Return

Jahmir Joseph’s interception could have earned the “Best Interception” nod, but what followed made it special. Reading the field, breaking two tackles, and cutting back inside, Joseph weaved his way 49 yards into the end zone. The pick-six extended Penn State’s lead to 52-0 in the fourth quarter.

Odds and ends

Best Effort

Allar’s deep ball to senior receiver Devonte Ross late in the first quarter was a strike — or would have been, if not for Villanova cornerback Anthony Hawkins. Perfectly positioned, Hawkins broke up the pass, halting a Penn State drive that was steadily advancing into Wildcat territory.

Best Kick

Redshirt sophomore kicker Ryan Barker hit a 45-yard field goal into the south end zone to open the second quarter. Though it capped Penn State’s second consecutive stalled drive, the kick pushed the Lions ahead 10-0 with 14:18 left in the half.

Worst Kick

Villanova punter Luke Larsen — a 33-year-old novelty himself — didn’t stand much of a chance. Backed up in his own end zone on fourth-and-13, Larsen shanked a 25-yard punt to the Villanova 30.

Wrapping up

Best Decision

Facing fourth-and-2 from midfield late in the first half, Villanova handed the ball to David Avit. He burst through the middle of Penn State’s defense for 27 yards, flipping momentum and keeping the drive alive. A personal foul later ended the scoring chance, but the call to go for it was the right one.

Worst Decision

The officials had it right, then didn’t. On Penn State’s opening drive, Singleton’s carry ended with a clear facemask. A flag was thrown, but after discussion, the crew inexplicably waved it off.

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