Penn State-Rutgers Halftime Report: We've Got a Game
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. | Penn State finds itself in a grind against Rutgers, taking a 10-6 lead into halftime of the home finale of the 2023 football season. The Nittany Lions came up short in the red zone and lost a fumble, their sixth turnover of the season. A quick rundown of the Penn State-Rutgers first half.
Penn State's Offense Still Uneven
Penn State's offense continued its manic personality without former offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich. The Lions began with a 3-and-out, produced a strong touchdown drive, couldn't take advantage of a turnover and struggled inside its own 5-yard line.
Penn State's offense produced some rhythm on a 15-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, which Kaytron Allen capped from 2 yards. Quarterback Drew Allar made two savvy plays to convert third downs. First, he improvised in a collapsing pocked to hit Theo Johnson on 3rd-and-5. Then, Allar capped the first quarter by looking off a safety before returning to Liam Clifford for a 15-yard laser conversion.
Penn State coach James Franklin wanted to see Allar develop some rhythm, and those plays certainly helped. The quarterback also popped a few draws, one for 11 yards, that allowed him to take an end-zone shot to Dante Cephas. Rutgers' Eric Rogers made a nice defensive play to prevent the touchdown.
Third Down an Early Defensive Issue
Michigan attacked Penn State with its third-down run game last week, and Rutgers followed the early script. Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt converted third-down runs of 22 and 11 yards, the former on 3rd-and-10. Those conversions led Rutgers to produce the longest scoring drive in terms of plays (14) and time (9:01) against Penn State this season. Alas, the Knights managed just a field goal.
Rough First Half for Nicholas Singleton
The running back carried five times for 9 yards and lost a fumble in the first half as Penn State was driving. Singleton also either didn't see, or didn't choose, a huge cutback lane in the red zone that could have produced a touchdown.
Penalties Sting Rutgers
Rutgers, seeking its first touchdown at Beaver Stadium as a Big Ten member, self-inflicted two key red-zone wounds. The Knights' strong first possession took a huge hit from a holding penalty that negated a Wimsatt rush to the 1-yard line. Rutgers reached the Penn State 7-yard late in the second quarter but committed two penalties (Penn State accepted the holding) to stall the drive and prompt a second field goal.
Injury Report
Receiver Harrison Wallace III missed his third consecutive game following the injury he sustained against Indiana. Wallace has dealt with injuries all season, missing four games and being limited in several others. Wallace's absence has had a significant impact on the receivers' room.
For Rutgers, tight end Johnny Langan was helped off the field following a second-quarter injury. Langan is Rutgers' fourth-leading receiver.
Up Next
Penn State concludes the regular season against Michigan State on Nov. 24. The Friday-night game is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Ford Field in Detroit.
More Penn State Football
As Penn State nears an attendance record, $3 tickets are available this week
How Penn State's offense will operate without Mike Yurcich
Drew Allar maintains a 'strong presence' through change
What we know about Penn State's offensive coordinator search
Potential candidates for Penn State's next offensive coordinator
James Franklin remains 'hopeful and excited' about Penn State's future
Ja'Juan Seider, Ty Howle take over as offensive coordinators for Penn State
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.
