STATE COLLEGE – A lot has happened in college football since Penn State and UCLA locked horns in 1968. These two programs now going in opposite directions showed which direction they were each going in a hard-fought game Saturday at Beaver Stadium. Penn State looking the part as the topflight program ready for all comers. UCLA, trying to find a combination to bring back the program to its glory days. Penn State (5-0,2-0) scored first and never looked back in a 27-11 Big Ten Conference win over UCLA (1-4, 0-3).
The defense sparked the Nittany Lions performance once again. Penn State consistently held a field position advantage because of its defensive effort the entire game. UCLA managed only 260 yards of total offense with most of that coming in the 4th quarter when Penn State had the game in hand. The Nittany Lion offense again started the game slow. A scoreless first quarter coupled with a less than stellar ground attack will be points of emphasis in the coming week. Nick Singleton did not play for Penn State and the PSU offense only averaged 2.8 yards per carry against UCLA.
Coach Franklin was very positive about his team’s performance. Coach pointed out that Penn State is the only college football team in the nation to start 5-0 in four straight years. This 5-0 start in four straight years by Penn State is the first time the Nittany Lions have done that in school history. Coach said that playing outstanding defense in the third quarter has been special this year. PSU held UCLA to -9 total yards today, and for the season Penn State has only given up 89 total 3rd quarter yards to its opponents through 5 games.
Each team had trouble moving the ball in the 1st quarter. Mid way through quarter two Penn State on a short field took advantage. Drew Allar capped the drive as he snuck across from the 1 with 6:40 left in the 1st half to get Penn State going 7-0. UCLA came back on its next possession. A nice 53-yard pitch and catch from backup QB Justyn Martin to TJ Harden set up a field goal. Martin was pressed into service due to an injury and made his first college start. Penn State has been proficient scoring going into the break and this game would prove no different. With under a minute to go in the 2nd quarter, QB Drew Allar hit who else but Tyler Warren for a 5-yard TD and a 14-3 halftime lead.
A 25-yard field goal on Penn States first 2nd half possession set the tone for the half. The Nittany Lion defense was ferocious, and the Penn State offense was solid. Penn State’s next possession ended with a short TD from Kaytron Allen and a 24-3 lead at the 2:57 mark of the 3rd quarter.
The fourth quarter had Penn State extend the lead with a much-needed confidence building 40-yard field goal by Ryan Barker to make it a 27-3 advantage at the 8:17 mark. UCLA added a TD toss with :16 left to make the final 27-11 Penn State is off to SOCAL and USC next week. UCLA lines up with Minnesota in LA.
