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Penn State Survives Against Minnesota

Tagged under: Gameday Hub, News, Penn State, Pennsylvania Colleges

| November 23, 2024

      ALL PHOTO CREDIT TO PAUL BURDICK SPORTS IMAGES

 

2 weeks, that’s all that remains in the College Football regular season. For the #4 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions, the goal is simple: win out and host a playoff game. Easy enough, right?

Penn State has a history of letting down fans when it seems they are in the clear. Whether it’s losing at home to Illinois in the millionth overtime or allowing a late TD to Michigan State when the playoff was in sight, Penn State seems to always find a way, a bad way. They entered the game against a Minnesota team that is dangerous, especially at home. They upset the then #11 ranked Minnesota early in the season at home and looked poised to do the same against a top-5 ranked Nittany Lions. Can Penn State survive the last 2 games and host a College Football Playoff game, or does Minnesota play spoiler? Let’s unbox what happened in the land of 10,000 lakes.

Early in the game, Penn State had trouble converting short-yardage 3rd and 4th downs. On one occasion, they opted to go with Tyler Warren up the middle to pick up the yards, but he couldn’t. It feels like Penn State is using Warren and the wild formations a little too much, it feels like overkill. The plenty of wonky formations are fun when they are different. It’s when Penn State abuses the formation time and again is when they can come across some trouble. If Penn State wants to beat the cream of the crop, they need to abandon the cuteness with Warren.

Rant out of the way, Minnesota struck first in the game and took a 10-0 lead into the 2nd quarter.

After that, Penn State would respond well. Allar located Omari Evans on a deep score to capture momentum. Then, Wyoming Area alum Dominic Deluca jumped a route and got his first INT of the season. After the return, Penn State settled for a 45-yard from Ryan Barker.

Now late into the 1st half, the Minnesota special teams would make a monumental play to give their offense premium field position. A blocked punt would put Minnesota set up inside the 25, and they were ready to score. To beat a top-5 team, often teams need something crazy, how about a double reverse pass for a TD for crazy?

With PSU trailing by 7 with under 2 minutes in the half, they quickly worked it down the field and scored on an Allar TD run. The extra point would tie them up, but only if it were that simple. Minnesota blocked the XP, and returned it themselves for 2 points because of course they did.

After a first half that saw 2 blocked kicks, flea flickers, and plenty of offense, Penn State would come out of the tunnel in their biggest 2nd half of the season. The stakes have not been this dire in 2024 for Penn State. An inability to win the 2nd half would put PSU in jeopardy of missing out on the playoff altogether.

In the 2nd half, Minnesota would open up the half with a field goal to lead by 6. So, with Penn State trailing, they went on an impressive drive to take the lead, with no problems with the PAT this time.

With Penn State leading entering the 4th quarter, Minnesota had to be essentially mistake-free to win, which they were not. Minnesota QB Max Brosmar couldn’t get a handle on the snap and they lost it and gave it right back to PSU.

With the gift, Penn State was determined to not let its window of opportunity go awry. In the end, the Nittany Lions settled for just 3 points and took a 4-point lead. After a Minnesota Field Goal, Penn State had a chance to salt the game away up a point. Instead, they went three-and-out, or so it seemed. James Franklin dialed up a fake punt on 4th and 1, and it was perfect. True Freshman Luke Reynolds took the direct snap 32 yards and extended the drive. With the drive extension, Penn State was able to grind the clock and escape with a 1-point win.

That fake punt was the single most important play of James Franklin’s tenure at Penn State. If Penn State was unable to convert, the hot seat for James Franklin would be so hot nobody could go near it. Instead, they converted and put themselves in a position to host a home playoff game in late December. I don’t believe, however, that this is enough for Penn State. Time and again we’ve seen this team struggle against inferior foes. A win is a win, but Penn State can not let this become a trend.

 

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