For the second straight game Penn State took a big play opportunity and turned it into a victory as the Nittany Lions knocked off San Diego State 37-21 in front of just over 95,000 fans.
Last week it was a 75-yard run by Akeel Lynch that helped Penn State cruise to a victory over Rutgers.
This week it was a 71-yard scoop and score by defensive tackle Austin Johnson that pushed Penn State’s unexpectedly precarious 27-21 lead to a 34-21 margin with 13:44 to go in the game.
Like so many times this season, Penn State looked the better team but never seemed to truly capitalize on that fact despite scoring on three of its first four drives, settling for field goals on two occasions. It was a fact only further magnified by as San Diego State responded to an electric 22-yard catch and score by Saquon Barkley with a 100-yard kickoff return to tie the game at 7-7.
With field goals the only thing to show for some 210 yards of early offense, an impressive catch by Mikah Holder turned Penn State’s firm grasp on the game into a 14-13 deficit.
From there it was injuries that dictated the pace of play. Penn State safety Marcus Allen and running backs Saquon Barkley and Akeel Lynch picking up knocks that ended their respective afternoons.
With a much closer than anticipated afternoon on their hands, the Nittany Lions had to rely on depth at running back to keep the offense rolling. And that depth responded as Mark Allen’s catch and dive into the end zone gave Penn State a 20-14 late first half lead. Budding receiving star Chris Godwin added another score as SDSU fumbled on back-to-back possessions and Penn State jumped out to a 27-14 halftime margin after two short drives in the half’s waning minutes.
Despite the late Nittany Lion surge, San Diego State didn’t fold in the second half recovering a muffed punt at Penn State’s 21-yard line, scoring just six plays later to cut into the lead.
A struggling Penn State offense only added to the increasingly anxious crowd as the Nittany Lions went four straight dives in the second half that lasted no longer than five plays. As much as the Aztecs appeared to have few threats to challenge Penn State’s defense, the ever present danger of a game changing play for either side loomed large. For a Penn State team that has yet to look truly cohesive the Aztecs looming in the rearview mirror was as threatening mentally as it was on the scoreboard.
So as Austin Johnson scooped up a loose ball and rumbled down the field it was once again a sense of relief that swept over the Beaver Stadium crowd.
Penn State added another three points to further close the case but San Diego State never mounted much of a comeback threat after the mid third quarter drive.
It was a game that ended with many storylines still well in motion. Injuries on both sides of the ball as well as a more familiar performance by quarterback Christian Hackenberg whose 296 passing yards and three scores were reminiscent of his freshman campaign.
Defensively Penn State was led by tackle Anthony Zettel whose father passed away Friday. Zettel had an impressive outing by any standard with seven tackles, half a sacks, a pass deflection and fumble recovery.
Penn State will play two more games in the confines of Beaver Stadium before traveling to face Ohio State. The Nittany Lions will likely still have many unanswered questions and open wounds to deal with by that date.
Nevertheless Penn State took care of business on Saturday, which as of late has been anything but a certainty.
