Penn State in Driver's Seat to Make Big Ten Title Game

After Michigan's upset of Ohio State, the Nittany Lions would go to Indy with a win over Maryland.

Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin walks on the field during warm ups before a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Beaver Stadium. / Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

STATE COLLEGE | No. 4 Penn State took the field for its regular-season finale against Maryland with a new mission. And despite a shaky start, the Nittany Lions are one comfortable half from facing Oregon in the Big Ten championship game Dec. 7 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Penn State leads Maryland 31-7 at halftime, scoring 31 unanswered points and touchdowns on four consecutive drives after going down 7-0 in the game's first 14 seconds. The Nittany Lions' defense bulldozed Maryland following the Terps' first-play score and got their offense right behind tight end Tyler Warren. Penn State began the game with a fresh goal, thanks to Michigan.

The Wolverines changed the entire tenor of the Big Ten title race Saturday, beating Ohio State 13-10 in Columbus. The Wolverines kicked a field goal with 45 seconds left and then stopped Ohio State on fourth down to win their fourth consecutive game in the series. Michigan did not eliminate Ohio State from Big Ten championship game contention, though the Buckeyes would need victories from Maryland over Penn State and Purdue over Indiana to get back into the title game.

Meanwhile, Penn State (10-1) can reach its second Big Ten title game, and first since 2016, with a win over the Terps. The Nittany Lions began the game as 26.5-point favorites over Maryland, according to DraftKings. The Terps (4-7) brought a four-game losing streatk to Beaver Stadium for their final game of the season.

This week, Penn State coach James Franklin downplayed the possibility of playing for the Big Ten title, saying the opportunity would present itself only if the Nittany Lions beat Maryland.

"To be honest with you I haven't spent a whole lot time thinking about that," Franklin said before the game. "I'm literally completely focused on the Terps and the University of Maryland, and after that game there is a lot of other things I think that have to happen. But that is a possibility. For us, we want an opportunity to compete as many times as we possibly can this year. If that includes a conference championship game, we would be very, very excited about that opportunity.

"But again, all we have to do is focus on playing Maryland this week and if we're not focused on that, is then a lot of these other things that everybody else wants to talk about, then those things become questionable. Those things become challenging. Those things become different."

Tyler Warren adds to the sizzle reel and sets a record

Penn State tight end Tyler Warren improvised another dazzling moment in the second quarter, leaping over a Maryland defender for another vintage moment. Warren leap over a Maryland defender on an impromptu pitch play from Drew Allar. This is vintage Warren for a gain of 29 yards.

Tyler Warren Hurdle 😳 @PennStateFball #B1GFootball on @BigTenNetwork 📺 pic.twitter.com/rmpsyJreai

— Big Ten Football (@B1Gfootball) November 30, 2024

Warren had a phenomenal first half, which he capped with a 7-yard touchdown catch from Allar to break Penn State's single-season record for tight ends with 17. He also completed a pass to Nicholas Singleton and drew a pass-interference penalty near the goal line that led to Penn State's first touchdown. Warren caught five passes for 60 yards in the first half. He needs 13 yards to set the single-season record for Big Ten receiving yards by a tight end and one catch to set the school record for receptions by a tight end.

A rough start for Penn State's offense

The Nittany Lions did not get out of the locker room well vs. Maryland. Singleton fumbled the opening snap, and Maryland scored on its first play after the turnover. MJ Morris hit receiver Kaden Prather for a 25-yard touchdown, giving the Terps a 7-0 lead just 14 seconds into the game.

Penn State did not convert a first down until late in the first quarter, which it finished with 12 rushing yards. The running backs fumbled twice, though Kaytron Allen recovered his, and Allar completed just two of his first five passes. That would change.

Penn State's defense resets

After giving up the first-play touchdown, Penn State's defense clamped down on the Terps, including a game-changing play. Maryland went for a 4th-and-short from its own 30-yard line, which the Nittany Lions absolutely swamped. Defensive end Abdul Carter, who had a first-quarter sack, made first contact, combining with safety Tyrece Mills for stop of no gain. The Nittany Lions scored three plays later on quarterback sneak by Allar from the 1-yard line.

After its touchdown pass, Maryland totaled 9 more yards of offense in the first quarter. The Terps punted four times, were intercepted twice and turned over the ball on downs after the touchdown.

Penn State converts two more fourth-and-1 plays

The Nittany Lions beat Minnesota last week by converting three 4th-and-1s, one on a fake punt. Penn State added two more in the first half against the Terps, making it five straight. Allar generated first downs with a pair of sneaks that led to a 2-yard touchdown run by Singleton.

Noteworthy

Kicker Ryan Barker made a career-long 49-yard field goal in the first quarter to get Penn State on the scoreboard. But Maryland blocked his 53-yard attempt just before halftime, marking the second blocked kick against Penn State in two weeks. Minnesota blocked an extra point last week.

Injury update

A couple scary moments for Penn State's offense, as left guard Vega Ioane was hurt on the first touchdown series and Allar was shaken up on Warren's 29-yard gain. Both returned, with Allar hitting Warren for the touchdown pass. Receiver Trey Wallace, listed as questionable on the Big Ten availability report, did not play in the first half.

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