PENN STATE 55 – RUTGERS 10
Despite grabbing a 10-7 lead in the first quarter, Rutgers couldn’t keep up with the Penn State Nittnay Lions, who turned the game into a track meet, posting a 55-10 final when it was all said and done.
Rutgers falls to 4-7 on the season (1-7 vs. the Big Ten). Penn State improved to 9-2 on the year; the victory was also the 100th career win for Penn State Head Coach James Franklin.
Penn State out-gained Rutgers 436-167, and torched the Scarlet Knights on the ground with 237 yards rushing. Rutgers could only muster 32 yards on the ground. Penn State recorded 21 first downs to just nine for the Scarlet Knights.
Things were looking good for Rutgers early. They forced consecutive three-and-outs by Penn State, and moved the ball down the field fairly well to set up a Jude McAtamney field goal to make it 3-0.
Then Penn State put their running shows on. On the ensuing kick-off Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton brought it back 100 yards for a touchdown to put the Nittnay Lions up 7-3.
The 7th 100+ yard kick return in @PennStateFball history! 🤘@NickSingletonn x #B1GStats pic.twitter.com/kAbWEcykwA
— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) November 19, 2022
Rutgers responded almost immediately when Aaron Cruickshank brought the Rutgers kick return back 66-yards to the Penn State 21-yard line. Four plays later, quarterback Gavin Wimsatt found Shameen Jones in the back of the end zone for the touchdown to make it 10-7 Rutgers.
Just like that, the Scarlet Knights are back on top ❗@shawuski x @RFootball pic.twitter.com/Q52f8QZI0e
— Rutgers On BTN (@RutgersOnBTN) November 19, 2022
Momentum flipped back in Penn State’s favor permanently late in the first quarter when Johnny Langan took a shot to the shoulder and fumbled the football at the Rutgers 15-yard line. Penn State’s Kobe King scooped up the loose ball and scored to make it 14-10.
A little scoop and score action. 🤌@KobekingCTFB x @PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/kseVtyTnUv
— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) November 19, 2022
It was all Penn State from there. An interception of Wimsatt by Johnny Dixon helped set up Penn State’s third touchdown of the game to make it 21-10 in the first quarter. The Nittany Lions would score the next 34-points the rest of the way.
Rutgers wraps up the season at Maryland next Saturday at noon.
Penn State wraps up the season at Beaver Stadium against Michigan State. Then they’ll await what bowl game they’ll wind up getting around the New Year’s holiday.
