No. 4 Penn State Gets Gutsy 26-25 Win Over Minnesota

© Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

It was a day full of highs and lows for the No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten Conference) as they earned every yard gained in a gritty 26-25 win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-5, 4-4) on Nov. 23 in Minneapolis, Minn. 

Special Teams Give, Take Away

Penn State’s special teams were the team's Achilles heel throughout the game. Penn State had a blocked extra point returned for two points. A blocked punt gave Minnesota short field position, resulting in a touchdown late in the first half to take a 17-10 lead. Then, a Minnesota field goal cut a four-point Nittany Lion lead to one with 5:48 left to play in the game.

On a fourth-and-1 from the Penn State 34-yard line, Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin decided to do something that has escaped him throughout much of his coaching career. He made a gutsy call. Franklin called for a fake punt to tight end Luke Reynolds, who blocked a punt earlier in the game. Penn State got the first down and then some, moving down the far sideline to the Minnesota 34-yard line. The Nittany Lions ran the final minutes off the clock and, thanks to a great effort by quarterback Drew Allar, Penn State salted the game away. 

Penn State QB Steps Up

Allar had an up-and-down game. But when Penn State needed him, he got the needed yardage. Allar’s go-to weapon was tight end Tyler Warren, who had 8 catches for 102 receiving yards. He had a big part in the game's deciding play. On that fourth-and-1 play, Allar stepped up in the pocket and found Warren, who emphatically called for the football inside the Minnesota 10. Warren sat down inbounds to keep the clock ticking and Penn State ran out the seconds. 

Allar finished with 244 yards passing and a passing touchdown. He also rushed for a TD and, of course, had a big role in the deciding plays for Penn State, The Associated Press reported. Penn State is 5-0 on the road for the first time since 1985.

© Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

More CFP Drama

Unfortunately, this game will come with its share of scrutiny. The College Football Playoff ongoing conversation will continue, especially between the Southeastern and Big Ten conferences. Minnesota moved the ball on the ground against Penn State pretty consistently for 106 rushing yards. Meanwhile, Penn State struggled for 117 rushing yards, below their season average of 200 yards. Minnesota, under the leadership of head coach PJ Fleck, excels at grounding and pounding teams as this season has worn on. The trenches are where Penn State's play has received praise throughout the season. On Nov. 23, the Nittany Lions had to prove they could get down and dirty with their opponent. They did so and notched another win for this season.