Top Takeaways From Penn State’s Win Over Purdue

Penn State returned to the win column to close out the month of October, downing Purdue 31-17 in Beaver Stadium on Saturday.

The Nittany Lions made strides in multiple key areas during the victory, but it didn’t come without flaws. Here are the top takeaways from the team’s first Big Ten win of the year.

Pass Rush

Penn State was finally able to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterback Ryan Browne, holding him to just 10-for-29 passing for 142 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

The team only recorded one sack, courtesy of defensive end Yvan Kemajou, but created 13 quarterback pressures according to PFF and caused some errant throws. Kemajou’s takedown behind the sticks was the first sack by a player not named Tony Rojas since the start of Big Ten play.

Browne was under duress for much of the game and, despite navigating the pocket well, was clearly uncomfortable. Even his lone passing touchdown came after escaping a sack from defensive end Caleb Bacon and throwing with Rojas in his face, a ball that could’ve been picked off if cornerback Josiah Zayas had located it.

Run Game

Another major struggle for the Nittany Lions had been the run game, but on Saturday Cam Wallace and Carson Hansen combined for 231 yards on 39 carries, averaging almost six yards a pop.

Albeit against one of the worst run defenses in the conference, Wallace made a statement during his first career start with 135 yards and a touchdown, establishing himself as the potential answer at running back.

With a simplified blocking scheme, Penn State was consistently able to open running lanes regardless of who was in the backfield. Even cornerback Audavion Collins recorded an 11-yard carry on a jet sweep.

Per PFF, 102 of Wallace’s yards came after initial contact, showing an ability to break tackles that Hansen hasn’t displayed all year.

Special Teams

Continuing the trend of reversals, the Nittany Lions’ special teams — which had been a consistent strong point under coordinator Justin Lustig — posted one of its worst performances in recent memory.

The typically automatic kicker Ryan Barker was just 1-for-3 on the day, including an excusable miss from 55 yards out and a less-excusable miss from 42. He did drill a 44-yarder, but it marked his first-ever game with multiple misses.

Additionally, punter Nathan Tiyce struggled with his lone punt traveling just 32 yards, while a second attempt was blocked after the personal protectors allowed a free Boilermaker rusher right up the middle.

To make matters worse, that block was returned for a touchdown, becoming the first special teams touchdown allowed by Penn State in 98 games dating back to 2019.