STATE COLLEGE – This week was quite different than most weeks have been in Happy Valley for some time. On the heels of a difficult loss to Michigan, a Coordinator dismissal, and the damage control of a season gone sideways, Penn State took the field on a senior day to face Big Ten foe Rutgers. In typical 2023 fashion PSU started slowly. Beau Pribula took over at quarterback for an injured Drew Allar in the third quarter. Drew engineered a four-point half-time time lead, into a 27-6 comfortable conference win for Penn State (9-2, 6-2) over Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) Saturday afternoon.
Pribula revived an anemic first-half ground game and led Penn State in rushing on the day with 71 yards and an 8.9 yards per carry average. Kaytron Allen contributed 69 yards and 2 TDs on the ground. The Nittany Lion defense stepped up big all day. They forced three turnovers and had 3 sacks.
Chop Robinson the sack and forced fumble for @PennStateFball Nittany Lions now driving up 13-6 over @RFootball as we end the 3rd quarter @BadgleyBruce @PremiunSports @B1Gfootball pic.twitter.com/OmKBBolh6O
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 18, 2023
“When Beau entered the game, he provided some diversity in the running game and helped us a lot,” said Coach James Franklin in his post-game press conference. Considering the week that was, Coack Franklin said he was “pleased with his staff and his players both organizationally and leadership-wise.” Coach Franklin spoke from the heart for much of the press conference. Coach Franklin said he was proud of the fact that the Penn State football program is built on people and relationships.
One of the feel-good stories for Penn State this year has been Kicker Alex Felkins. Alex has turned the question mark of field goal kicking into the most solid portion of Penn State special teams. Alex credits this year’s consistency to a stronger belief in his kicking mechanics. In past years Alex would adjust his style if he missed a kick. This year, Felkins has stayed true to his kicking motion and the Nittany Lions have sure benefited. Felkins booted two field goals Saturday including a 48-yarder.
Alex Felkins drills a 48 yard Field Goal to extend the @PennStateFball lead over @RFootball to 13-6 with 4:55 left in the 3rd quarter @BadgleyBruce @PremiunSports @B1Gfootball pic.twitter.com/z4yLfHD33J
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 18, 2023
Rutger’s opening drive got the Scarlet Knights a 3-0 lead early and that’s how quarter one ended.
Nice opening 14 play 61 yard drive for @RFootball Jai Patel drills a Field Goal from 34 yards and it’s 3-0 over @PennStateFball 4:43 quarter 1 @BadgleyBruce @PremiunSports pic.twitter.com/XRnDBEoU19
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 18, 2023
Penn State finally got on the board early in the 2nd quarter via Kaytron Allen
Touchdown @PennStateFball ! Keytron Allen follows his blockers in for a 2 yard TD. @GoPSUsports now up on @RFootball 7-3 11:36 until halftime @BadgleyBruce @PremiunSports @B1Gfootball pic.twitter.com/5h2E8haJTp
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 18, 2023
Field goals by both teams closed out the first half. Penn State held a 10-6 lead at the break,
@PennStateFball capitalizes on a @RFootball turnover with a 21 yard Alex Felkins Field Goal. 10-3 @GoPSUsports up with 8:44 until halftime @B1Gfootball @PremiunSports @BadgleyBruce pic.twitter.com/6JbvZJ7JKZ
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 18, 2023
@RFootball on the board again as we end the first half. Jai Patel a 28 yard Field Goal this time so @PennStateFball up 10-6 at the break @BadgleyBruce @PremiunSports @B1Gfootball pic.twitter.com/x2SwGOl4xM
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 18, 2023
Early in quarter three starting QB Drew Allar was knocked out of the game. In came back up Beau Pribula. And with Beau came a whole new dynamic to the Penn State offense. Beau took chunks of yardage on his designed runs and PSU turned them into points.
Alex Felkins drills a 48 yard Field Goal to extend the @PennStateFball lead over @RFootball to 13-6 with 4:55 left in the 3rd quarter @BadgleyBruce @PremiunSports @B1Gfootball pic.twitter.com/z4yLfHD33J
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 18, 2023
Touchdown @PennStateFball ! Keytron Allen his 2nd TD of the day makes it @GoPSUsports 20 @RFootball 6 14:14 remaining in this one @PremiunSports @B1Gfootball @BadgleyBruce pic.twitter.com/gN2gbnUb7z
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 18, 2023
Beau Pribula scores the final TD for @PennStateFball in the Nittany Lions 27-6 win over @RFootball today at Beaver Stadium @BadgleyBruce @PremiunSports @B1Gfootball pic.twitter.com/VJqifMLZlC
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) November 18, 2023
On a short, short week Penn State is off to face Michigan State in its Big Ten finale. Rutgers hosts Maryland next week.
