Penn State fought all the way to the end against the top college football squad. However, James Franklin’s Nittany Lions, who were mild favorites against undefeated Oregon going into the game, committed two crucial errors in the first half.
The Ducks took advantage, and when Dan Lanning’s club has a double-digit lead, it’s difficult to catch them.
Now let’s discuss the grades.
OFFENSE: B+.
The best team in the Big Ten championship game was the Lions. PSU averaged 7.0 yards per play, and Andy Kotelnicki’s team amassed 518 total yards, 28 first downs, and five touchdowns. Running backs Kaytron Allen (124) and Nick Singleton (105) combined for 229 yards on the ground and two touchdowns (one receiving, one rushing). With just one sack allowed, Phil Trautwein’s O-line did a great job.Tyler Warren reached 1,000 receiving yards after catching seven catches for 84 yards. He is the first tight end from PSU to reach 1,000 yards.The first of two picks, Drew Allar, put Oregon at PSU 1 and led to a touchdown in the first half.
DEFENSE: D.
The team led by Tom Allen needed to disturb the game with a few mistakes and disruptive plays, but they were unable to do so. The Lions only had one sack at the end. With ten tackles, including one for loss, linebacker Kobe King topped the team in tackles. Six of the Ducks’ drives were seven yards or more. Oregon kicked a field goal and scored four touchdowns while going 5-for-5 in the red zone.
In the fourth quarter of the Big Ten Championship game on December 7, 2024, Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel, defensive end Abdul Carter, and Penn State linebacker Kobe King dive for a fumble that Gabriel recovers.
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SPECIAL TEAMS: C.
This unit didn’t have much of an impact. At the end of Penn State’s opening possession of the third quarter, placekicker Ryan Barker missed a 40-yard field goal after making a 33-yard one. Riley Thompson, a punter, averaged 47 yards on two tries and wasn’t particularly active.
C-minus for coaching.
In the first half, Penn State’s players committed four 15-yard penalties, demonstrating their lack of discipline early on. Four of Oregon’s first five possessions ended in touchdowns thanks to the Lions defense. With just one sack allowed, Penn State’s offensive line was among the best on the squad. Instead of kicking the extra point to make it a seven-point game at the end of PSU’s second-to-last touchdown drive, with the score at 38-30, James Franklin had his offense try a two-point conversion. For the remainder of the game, the Lions never came within eight points. It’s an interesting choice.
OVERALL: C.
Although Penn State’s defense was lacking, the Ducks’ attack might be the best in the league. The Lions offensive had a difficult outcome. PSU lost after scoring 37 points. How frequently did that occur during the time of James Franklin? The Lions had a difficult time completing the Big Ten section of their schedule. However, the playoff match is quickly approaching.
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