Penn State showcased its smothering defense and precision passing in a decisive victory over UCLA on Saturday, transforming what started as a bustling Beaver Stadium crowd into a quiet assembly of satisfied fans well before the final whistle. Over 110,000 spectators flocked to the Penn State campus for this eagerly awaited matchup between the seventh-ranked Nittany Lions and the UCLA Bruins, who found themselves facing a harsh reality check against a formidable opponent eyeing the College Football Playoff.
Next on the agenda for the Nittany Lions is a challenging contest against No. 11 USC, set for next weekend.
Here are some key takeaways from the game:
Early difference
A significant touchdown drive set the tone for Penn State, as they followed up with another impressive 75-yard march in just eight plays. Quarterback Drew Allar deftly navigated through a weak Bruins secondary, completing three consecutive passes of 24, 12, and 25 yards. This precision moved the offense into the red zone, where Allar connected with tight end Tyler Warren for a touchdown, extending the lead to 14-3 with only 20 seconds left in the half.
Play of the game
A graphic displayed early in the third quarter highlighted the dominance of Penn State’s defense in the second half of games this season. Under defensive coordinator Tom Allen, who took over after Manny Diaz’s departure to Duke, the Nittany Lions have allowed only nine points and 248 yards combined after halftime against West Virginia, Bowling Green, Kent State, and Illinois. This statistic underscores both the talent on defense and Allen’s skill in making effective adjustments.
This trend continued in the game against UCLA, where the Bruins’ first drive of the second half quickly became a symbol of their struggles. Following the kickoff, UCLA lost 16 yards on their opening possession, featuring a negative run, a zero-gain run, and a damaging strip sack that left quarterback Justyn Martin fortunate to recover his own fumble.
The sack came from safety Jaylen Reed, who burst through the line unblocked to take down Martin at the 3-yard line, forcing a fumble that led to a UCLA punt. With Penn State adding a field goal to extend the lead to 17-3, the game felt all but decided due to the Bruins’ offensive struggles.
Key stat
UCLA’s sideline experienced a moment of excitement when running back Keegan Jones broke through for a 22-yard gain early in the fourth quarter, bringing the Bruins into the red zone for only the second time that day. However, the drive ended poorly with a turnover on downs, effectively sealing Penn State’s victory.
This lack of efficiency further complicated matters for Martin, who started in place of the injured Ethan Garbers. Martin, a four-star recruit and the 20th-ranked quarterback in the 2022 class, faced a challenging debut, completing just two passes for 12 yards over his first two years with the Bruins.
What’s next for Penn State?
What’s next for UCLA?
After a challenging start to the season, UCLA faces a brief respite with a home game against Minnesota next week. Transitioning to the Big Ten after leaving the Pac-12 this summer, the Bruins have had a tough schedule, including a long trip to Hawaii and matchups against ranked teams like Indiana, LSU, Oregon, and Penn State. The upcoming game against Minnesota, who could drop to 0-3 in conference play if they lose to USC, presents an opportunity for UCLA to regain momentum. The Bruins will have a more manageable slate ahead, facing mostly mid-tier Big Ten teams, including Rutgers, Nebraska, Iowa, Washington, and Fresno State.
