Penn State moved up in the AP Top 25 Poll after a 46-10 route of Ohio University at Beaver Stadium on Saturday. The Nittany Lions now sit at No. 22 in the poll after starting the 2022 campaign unranked.
Freshman running back Nick Singleton led the way for Penn State carrying the ball 10 times for 179 yards and two touchdowns. The performance was much needed as the running game stalled in the opening week vs. Purdue. This marks the first 100-yard rusher for Penn State since late in the 2020 season.
“Once he got that edge, nobody was catching him,” teammate Ji’Ayir Brown said. “I don’t think they were prepared for Nick’s game-breaking speed.”
Penn State’s offense continued to mature throughout the game. Quarterback Sean Clifford completed 19-of-27 passes for 213 yards, threw one touchdown and added another on the ground. The Nittany Lions scored on three of its first five possessions.
Clifford capped a 12-play opening drive with his rushing touchdown before Singleton made it 14-0 late in the first quarter. Mitchell Tinsley caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Clifford in the third quarter before the torch was passed to freshman quarterback Drew Allar.
More than 107,000 fans that packed Beaver Stadium cheered loudly as Allar entered the game. He would complete 6-of-8 passes for 88 yards and threw two touchdown passes.
12 freshmen saw significant snaps in the 46-10 victory. “Those guys, their roles will continue to grow as they gain experience and confidence as the season goes on. We’re going to need them. To see some freshmen not only play, but make some big plays, pivotal plays within the game, whether long runs or touchdown catches or tackles or whatever it is,” head coach James Franklin said. “That will be helpful for us moving forward.”
No. 22 Penn State heads to Auburn on Saturday for a tough road matchup. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. EST.
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