Recap: Penn State pulls out close win over Rutgers to become bowl eligible
PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Penn State takes on Rutgers today in both teams’ regular season finale. A trip to the postseason is on the line when the Scarlet Knights and Nittany Lions, who are both 5-6, meet at 3:30 p.m. inside SHI Stadium. The Big Ten Network is televising the game. And, this is your home for live updates throughout the contest. You’ll find the latest score, stats, and notes below as the game unfolds.
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Game Over
11/29/2025 05:55:45 PMGrunkemeyer finds Andrew Rappleyea on a 4th and 2 deep in Rutgers territory to convert the first down and put the game away.
Turnover on Downs
11/29/2025 05:39:24 PMAfter one of the nicest catches of the season for Rutgers WR KJ Duff, Penn State is able to force a turnover on downs on 4th and 1 to get the ball back.
Touchdown: Penn State
11/29/2025 05:31:47 PMKaliakmanis fumbles on the ball following the snap and it’s picked up by linebacker Amare Campbell for a 61-yard scoop and score. Massive break for the Nittany Lions after Rutgers had driven the ball 35 yards.
PSU: 40
RU: 36
7:27 left in the game
Rutgers forces a punt
11/29/2025 05:31:37 PMA questionable delay of game penalty on 4th and 1 forces Penn State to punt. Following a 56-yard punt by Gabe Nwosu, Rutgers has the opportunity to make this a two-score game. They’ll start from their own 26-yard line.
RU: 36
PSU: 33
11:16 left in the game
Touchdown: Rutgers
11/29/2025 05:16:36 PMKaliakmanis strikes right back, finding running back Antwan Raymond for a 46-yard touchdown reception. The Scarlet Knights also converted the two-point conversion to take a three-point lead with 13:33 left in the game.
RU: 36
PSU: 33
End of the 3rd Quarter
11/29/2025 05:09:58 PM
Touchdown: Penn State
11/29/2025 05:05:25 PMSingleton gets his second touchdown of the day, rushing in from one yard out to finish off a six-play, 83-yard drive. However, the Nittany Lions can’t convert a two-point conversion.
PSU: 33
RU: 28
54 seconds left in the third quarter
Touchdown: Rutgers
11/29/2025 04:55:46 PMKaliakmanis finds WR KJ Duff for a 13-yard touchdown reception. Rutgers went eight plays for 75 yards to take a one-point lead with 3:51 left in the third quarter.
RU: 28
PSU: 27
Field Goal: Penn State
11/29/2025 04:44:20 PMPenn State opens the half by driving the ball 50 yards in 10 plays to take a six-point lead following another field goal by Barker.
PSU: 27
RU: 21
8:53 left in the third quarter
Halftime
11/29/2025 04:09:13 PM
Field Goal: Penn State
11/29/2025 04:07:07 PMGrunkemeyer leads the offense on a five-play, 56-yard drive in just 26 seconds. Following key completions to Devonte Ross (19 yards) and Trebor Pena (23 yards), kicker Ryan Barker converts a 31-yard field goal.
PSU: 24
RU: 21
Touchdown: Rutgers
11/29/2025 04:01:05 PMThe Scarlet Knights go 89 yards in 11 plays, draining 4:37 off the clock. WR DT Sheffield converted the score on a 21-yard reception.
PSU: 21
RU: 21
27 seconds left in the 2nd quarter
Both teams swap punts
11/29/2025 03:39:33 PMFollowing three straight punts, Penn State’s offense is back out on the field to start its fifth drive of the game.
Nittany Lions force first punt of the game
11/29/2025 03:30:01 PMA Xavier Gilliam sack forces a three-and-out for Penn State. The Nittany Lions take over at their own 40-yard line following a 41-yard punt.
PSU: 21
RU: 14
13:08 left in the 2nd quarter
Touchdown: Penn State
11/29/2025 03:18:48 PMAllen takes it 15 yards for the score to open up the second quarter.
PSU: 21
RU: 14
14:55 left in the 2nd quarter
End of the 1st Quarter
11/29/2025 03:15:59 PMBoth teams combined for over 400 yards of offense in the first quarter. Both Allen and Singleton are averaging over 18 yards per carry on four rushes each.
Touchdown: Rutgers
11/29/2025 03:10:33 PMThe Scarlet Knights tie it up with a 7-play, 75-yard drive that results in a two-yard touchdown run by QB Athan Kaliakmanis.
PSU: 14
RU: 14
1:22 left in the 1st quarter
Touchdown: Penn State
11/29/2025 02:57:13 PMRunning back Nick Singleton is now the all-time leader in touchdowns scored at Penn State with 54 after he takes the carry 11 yards for a touchdown. Kaytron Allen had a 55-yard carry three plays earlier to set up the score.
PSU: 14
RU: 7
5:11 left in the 1st quarter
Turnover on Downs
11/29/2025 02:51:49 PMRutgers puts together a 7-play, 50-yard drive, but then attempts a fake field goal that’s sniffed out by Penn State right away. The Nittany Lions take over at their own 25-yard line with 7:05 left to play in the first quarter.
Touchdown: Penn State
11/29/2025 02:43:13 PMOn 4th and 1, Terry Smith leaves the offense on the field and Ethan Grunkemeyer finds a wide-open Andrew Rappleyea, who takes it 53 yards for the score.
RU: 7
PSU: 7
9:46 left in the 1st quarter
Touchdown: Rutgers
11/29/2025 02:36:04 PMThe Scarlett Knights needed just five plays to drive the ball 75 yards for a score. Running back Antwan Raymond punched it in from 19 yards out.
RU: 7
PSU: 0
12:13 left in the 1st quarter
Rutgers gets the ball first
11/29/2025 02:30:38 PMPenn State calls tails. The coin falls tails. The Lions will defer. Rutgers will get the ball first at SHI Stadium.
Kickoff time is set for 3:31 p.m. ET
11/29/2025 02:28:51 PMToday’s game is on the Big Ten Network.
Starters appear to be normal for Penn State
11/29/2025 02:28:42 PMAs warmups come to a close.
Warmups are underway
11/29/2025 01:53:50 PMNot much to report so far, but we’ll be back with an update on the starters in a bit.
Chaz Coleman is back
11/29/2025 01:20:15 PMThe standout freshman makes his return today for Penn State after missing the last three games with an undisclosed injury. Here’s who is OUT today for the Lions:
3 Antoine Belgrave-Shorter
6 Matt Outten
7 Kaden Saunders
13 Tony Rojas
14 Jaxon Smolik
15 Drew Allar
16 Bekkem Kritza
18 Max Granville
19 Josiah Brown
20 Mylachi Williams
21 Jabree Coleman
27 Lamont Payne Jr.
29 Daniel Jennings
38 Jackson Pryts
40 Anthony Speca
42 Mason Robinson
58 Kaleb Artis
59 Brady O’Hara
61 Liam Horan
73 Caleb Brewer
81 Donte Nastasi
84 Peter Gonzalez
93 Bobby Mears
95 Jordan Mayer
Both teams are here
11/29/2025 01:19:26 PMRutgers got into the stadium just before 1:30 p.m. ET. Penn State, meanwhile, arrived right at 1:30. It’s a beautiful late November day. The sun is shining and there is little wind to speak of currently.