Penn State 51, Maryland 15: Another Terps Shelling

Drew Allar throws 4 TD passes as the Nittany Lions race past Maryland.

COLLEGE PARK, Maryland | Penn State released the blah of last week, catapulting over Maryland 51-15 in its last prep game before hosting Michigan at Beaver Stadium. Quarterback Drew Allar built on his game-winning touchdown pass against Indiana, throwing four more in his best road performance of the season. 

And Penn State's defense, which gave up 17 consecutive completions to Taulia Tagovailoa to start the game, cracked down in the second half, forcing turnovers on consecutive plays and taking control of the game. Penn State won its 15th consecutive game in College Park and has outscored Maryland 207-32 in its last four road games here.

The breakdown from College Park.

Welcome to Penn State, Dante Cephas

After catching 130 passes at Kent State the past two seasons, Dante Cephas arrived at Penn State with high expectations. He also arrived in the summer and needed processing time. It took eight games, but Cephas broke out Saturday.

The receiver caught six passes for 53 yards and two touchdowns in his most effective game by far for the Lions. Playing for the injured Harrison Wallace III, Cephas deftly toe-tapped both scores. On the first, Cephas corralled a juggled ball while getting his foot down. It was a superb move.

An early @PennStateFball lead doesn't sound too bad. 🤩

📺: FOX/@CFBonFox pic.twitter.com/Xd8p0r4caG

— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) November 4, 2023

 

Penn State scores on broken trick play

Penn State said, "Hi, Michigan" in the first half, unfurling a trick-play touchdown pass that, well, didn't go off as scripted. With Allar and Beau Pribula on the field for the first time, Penn State ran a red-zone finesse play, with Pribula pitching to Allar, who was looking for Tyler Warren in the end zone. With his options covered, Allar showed some dexterity to cut inside and flip the ball to tight end Theo Johnson for the score.

Wow, Drew Allar 🤩@PennStateFball extends the lead! 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/5bCA546MG2

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 4, 2023

Is it a coincidence that Penn State gets the play on film a week before playing Michigan?

Finally, the Beau Pribula package!

Penn State coach James Franklin has more than hinted this season at playing Pribula situationally. And finally, he did so. Pribula played two red-zone possessions in the first half, including the trick-play touchdown. Unfortunately for Pribula, he slipped on a pair of benign carries, but the look is out there for future opponents (notably Michigan).

Pribula played the final nine minutes as well, as Allar retired for the day with fourth touchdown passes.

Cracking down on Tagovailoa

Taulia Tagovailoa was perfect through his first 17 passes and finished the first half 22-for-25 for 211 yards and a score. Penn State's defense, however, turned him inside out in the second half. Tagovailoa completed just 2 of 6 passes in the third quarter and turned over the ball on consecutive fourth-quarter plays. Dominic DeLuca intercepted Tagovailoa, and Jordan van den Berg recovered a fumble forced by freshman Tony Rojas' sack fumble. Rojas added a late interception as well.

After that huge start, Tagovailoa finished 29-for-39 for 286 yards two touchdowns. He went 7-for-14 in the second half.

Did you notice?

Maryland rushed for minus-49 yards, largely due to six sacks. But Penn State held Maryland to minus-2 yards rushing on eight carries  before the sacks.

Kaytron Allen had a big game, rushing for 91 yards and a score. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry and flexed a bit after his score.

Kicker Alex Felkins was a perfect 3-for-3 in field goals.

Linebacker Abdul Carter had a huge game, with six tackles, a sack and pass breakup. He also nearly had a pick-6.

Penn State still hasn't allowed a third-quarter point this season. The Lions have outscored opponents 97-0 in the third quarter.

Penn State injury report

The Lions were without starters Chop Robinson and Harrison Wallace III, though Robinson warmed up in uniform before the game. Penn State listed Robinson, its star defensive end who played for Maryland in 2021, as "out" on its availability report.

Up Next

Penn State hosts Michigan on Nov. 11 at Beaver Stadium. Kickoff is at noon ET on FOX.

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AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.