Penn State Defeats Maryland, Heads to Big Ten Championship

© Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Today was nothing short of drama-filled for the No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions (11-1, 8-1), who defeated the Maryland Terrapins (4-8, 1-8) 44-7 in State College, Pa. on Senior Day. Before the game began, the Michigan Wolverines upset the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes, meaning that the Nittany Lions could clinch a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game with a victory.

Another Sloppy Start

Penn State started the game sloppy, with a fumble on the first play. Maryland scored one play later on a touchdown pass to wide receiver Kaden Prather to take an early 7-0 lead. After a 66-yard kick return by running back Nick Singleton, Penn State stalled after a botched snap on a trick play that resulted in a 49-yard field goal to make the score 7-3 in favor of the Terrapins. 

Monstrous Second Quarter

The game's momentum shifted at the beginning of the second quarter, when Maryland went for a 4th-and-1 at their 30-yard-line and didn’t convert on a Roman Hemby run. After a couple of chunk plays, quarterback Drew Allar called his number and went up the middle for a touchdown run to take a two-score 17-7 lead. Two more Nittany Lion touchdowns followed, and Penn State entered the half up 31-7.

© Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

Maryland totaled just 72 yards in the second quarter, compared to Penn State’s 208. Maryland also had two turnovers in the quarter, both of which resulted in touchdowns for the Nittany Lions. 

By the fourth quarter, Penn State was ahead 38-7, and coach Franklin had begun to empty the bench (it was Senior Day after all). However, Maryland never called off their dogs and had their starters still on the field. Despite this, Penn State backup quarterback Beau Pribula threw a 15-yard touchdown pass on 4th down to wide receiver Tyseer Denmark with time expiring to run up the score.

What's Next for Penn State

Due to the chaos in Columbus earlier in the day, Penn State has punched their ticket to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship Game, where they will face the No. 1 Oregon Ducks at Lucas Oil Stadium on Dec. 7. A victory in that game will net the Nittany Lions a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff, while a defeat is unlikely to kick Penn State out of the tournament. The Terrapins, on the other hand, only won four games this season, and as such are not bowl-eligible. Their offseason has begun.