INDIANAPOLIS—Star Penn State junior running backs Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton led No. 1 Oregon for almost the entire Big Ten Championship game on Saturday night. They scored 229 yards on 24 carries, or 9.54 yards per carry, against a run defense that was among the top 25 in Oregon going into the game.
After scoring to pull within one point and make the score 45-37, Oregon gave Penn State a late gift in the form of an ugly deep jumper that didn’t take much time off the clock and an uninspired pair of runs. With two timeouts left, the third-ranked Nittany Lions regained possession of the ball after the two-minute warning.
With a first-round College Football Playoff bye, it’s their last chance to defeat the Ducks, win James Franklin’s second Big Ten Championship, and rise to the top of the nation.
With more of the same, Singleton launched a powerful 9-yard run into the two-minute warning to open the drive. On a second-and-one from his own 46, Drew Allarthen hit wide receiver Harrison Wallace III with a deep ball down the right sideline that was 42 yards long. In front of him, Wallace jumped over the Oregon cornerback.
Additionally, he witnessed Nikko Reed lay out for a spectacular interception that won the game.
On the next series, Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel went for a first down to end the game.
made an effort to give Tre a chance. After the defeat, Allar remarked, “I have to do a better job of him or nobody.” It’s going to be him or nobody, so I just need to recognize the leverage with the DB and give him more of a back shoulder, around the body [throw]. Or proceed in a progressive manner.
Then Franklin followed up to give their child credit. He did a fantastic job.
Late in the fourth quarter of the Big Ten Championship game on December 7, 2024, Oregon defensive back Nikko Reed intercepts a pass meant for Penn State wide receiver Harrison Wallace III.
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Wallace was Allar’s main option on the play, he confirmed. He was reading Oregon’s strong safety, who he believed failed to discourage a throw by getting deep enough off the snap. As star tight end Tyler Warren started to run loose on a middle-of-the-field crosser farther down Allar’s progression, the junior quarterback took the risk.
Franklin and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki looked to the air and their wide receivers, a position that has been heavily criticized for inconsistency over the last two seasons, despite Penn State’s superiority on the ground and plenty of time still on the clock.
Wallace and his position teammates combined for just two catches and 38 yards through three quarters, despite the fact that he made some of the night’s most spectacular plays. The only other wide receiver with a target in the game was Omari Evans, who had one reception for a 22-yard score in the second quarter. The remaining members of the receiving production were Allen, Warren, Singleton, and Khalil Dinkins, a tight end.
Allar completed with 226 yards and two interceptions on 20 of 39 passes. Dontae Manning recovered the first turnover, which occurred deep in his own territory, to the 1-yard line, where it resulted in a touchdown. Both turnovers were backbreakers. The throw, which went well behind Dinkins and into Manning’s arms, was among the worst in Allar’s two years as a starter. In crucial situations, such as an open Warren down the seam before to Ryan Barker’s missed 40-yard ( goal in the third quarter, he missed other throws.
Despite his errors, Allar was a major factor in Penn State’s chances of winning on Saturday.
With a false start penalty, Penn State put itself in a third-and-15 after Oregon surged out to a 14-3 lead. The Nittany Lions might have been doomed after a three-and-out, but Allar scurried forward and found Wallace just past the sticks. Later in the drive, Singleton scored a touchdown from 22 yards out.
After the first interception, he led a run-heavy drive to a touchdown pass to Evans, putting them behind 28-10. He rumbled in for his own 7-yard score after rushing for 8 yards on third-and-nine later in the first half to set up a fourth-down convert.
Ultimately, Allar persevered through a sure sack while his jersey was in a defender’s hands to connect with Wallace for the game’s last score on fourth-and-10, no less, with Penn State struggling and behind 45-30.
ALLAR THROWS A TOUCHDOWN AS THEY WERE HOLDING ON TO HIS JERSEY!Twitter: pic.twitter.com/zPO3GAVmy1
Like Penn State as a whole, Allar’s game had flaws. However, he showed courage and made a lot more of the intriguing throws that a former five-star recruit should have made. In contrast to the previous season, he is now giving his team opportunities to win every week and is no longer afraid to give the ball over.
The opening two defensive drives of the game began with 15-yard facemask penalties from the Nittany Lions. One helped prolong the drive on a fourth-and-one in Oregon. Both resulted in touchdowns. Both a kickoff in the first quarter and a run in the second quarter resulted in 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalties for Penn State. Compared to Oregon’s three for 24 yards, five accepted penalties for 65 yards.
With only one sack and no turnovers, Penn State allowed 45 points and 466 yards of offense.
And with less than two minutes remaining, the Lions controlled the clock and had a chance to tie an exciting game, but they gave up on what had led them there. Too many times, Franklin’s team defeated itself.
Nevertheless, with 518 offensive yards, Penn State outperformed Oregon. To keep it close, the Nittany Lions recovered from several two-score deficits and huge momentum-swinging plays.
Moral triumphs are difficult to reconcile with an emotional defeat in a conference championship game. However, because of this new era of college football, there are still things to play for.
Penn State demonstrated on Saturday that it is prepared for these situations and will have an opportunity to make the playoffs.
Ultimately, our performance was insufficient to defeat the nation’s top squad. Franklin added, “But I’m proud of our guys.” It will teach us something. Our plan is to flush it. We’re going to proceed. We will improve as a result of it. This will help us get better. And on Sunday, we’ll be prepared to play whoever they say we’re facing.
Stories by
Max Ralph
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