Penn State 63, UMass 0: It's Ohio State Week!
STATE COLLEGE | Penn State coach James Franklin used all three timeouts just before halftime Saturday with a 28-point lead, so you know he's serious about preparing for next week's trip to Ohio State. But how much did the Lions really accomplish in a 63-0 victory over UMass at Beaver Stadium?
Well, the Lions found a punt-returner, took more deep shots than they have all season, got the first two touchdowns of the season from tight end Theo Johnson and emptied the bench in the second half. And they delivered shutout No. 2 in 2023.
And now, Penn State (6-0) visits Ohio State (6-0) for the Big Ten Game of the Year, Part I. Before that, a breakdown of Penn State's win over UMass.
How It Happened
On his first dropback, quarterback Drew Allar looked downfield for KeAndre Lambert-Smith and loaded up to let it rip. The route wasn't open, though, and Allar threw away the ball. Yet the play signaled Penn State's intent to look for the deep throw Saturday.
Allar wasn't entirely successful over the top, completing 1 of 5 attempts of 15+ air yards. But that completion was a 30-yard touchdown pass to Johnson, the first of two. Clearly, Penn State knew it could stay on schedule and convert on third down, so the deep shots were merited. Allar ultimately went 16-for-23 for 162 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, Penn State flexed its athletic advantage. UMass had 26 total yards (one rushing) in the first half and succumbed to 14 tackles for loss. At one point, the Minutemen were 0-for-8 on third down. Why? Their average third-down distance was 12.5 yards. The Minutemen finished with 109 yards of total offense.
But hey, someone's dog enjoyed the game.
The Turning Point
Not that the game needed a spark, but Penn State's special teams did. And Daequan Hardy delivered. Hardy had not returned a punt in college before Saturday, when he tied the program's single-season record for punts returned for a touchdown. Hardy scored two, from 56 yards in the first quarter and 68 in the third. After the second return, Hardy seemed to mimic the Saquon Barkley swim move in celebration.
The Lions have been moody on returns and coverage this season, and the newcomer energized them. Hardy demonstrated some explosion that their returns have lacked. He also scored the Lions' first punt-return touchdown since Jahan Dotson went 81 yards against Michigan State in 2020.
Note the initial rerouting block by fellow cornerback Cam Miller (No. 5) to provide the second-level opening. Dom DeLuca and Malik McClain cleared further room. The touchdown also extended Penn State scoring streak to 33 consecutive quarters.
Oddly, just before halftime, a UMass punt ricocheted off Miller's foot as he was playing the gunner role in coverage. The Minutemen recovered.
Penn State's Offensive Turnover Streak Ends
Penn State's turnover streak ended at Northwestern. The offensive turnover streak ended Saturday against UMass. Receiver Harrison Wallace III fumbled after a first-quarter reception, marking the Lions' first offensive turnover since the 2022 Rutgers game. Penn State had gone a remarkable 30 quarters and 589 offensive plays without an offensive turnover. Curiously, former Penn State player Tyler Rudolph recovered the fumble for UMass.
Did You Notice?
Franklin showed no inclination to get out of the rain as the first half waned. UMass took over following Penn State's fourth touchdown with 1:01 remaining in the half. Franklin had three timeouts. He called all of them, forcing the Minutemen to punt after using just 15 seconds of the clock. Alas, UMass got the ball back after the punt hit a Penn State player downfield, and UMass recovered the loose ball at midfield.
Defensive end Adisa Isaac played a monster game, making 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss.
Fourth-string running back Tank Smith's 39-yard carry in the fourth quarter was Penn State's longest run this season. Amazingly, Penn State's third- and fourth-string running backs (Trey Potts and Smith) have 20-yard carries, but Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen do not.
Speaking of Singleton and Allen, they were largely effective. Singleton, who started, ran for 79 yards on 15 carries, averaging 5.3 per attempt. And Allen averaged a decisive 7.8 on his nine carries.
Offensive lineman Nick Dawkins played right guard in the first half and switched to center in the second.
Injury Report
Penn State was without starting left guard JB Nelson, injured at Northwestern, and tight end Khalil Dinkins.
Up Next
The Lions visit Ohio State in the first Big Ten Game of the Year. Kickoff is scheduled for FOX's Big Noon broadcast.
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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.
