(State College) There was never any doubt that Penn State was going to win its Homecoming game with UMass. It was only by how much the margin of victory was going to be over UMass. Coming into this game after a bye week made things a bit more challenging to get things fired back up for Penn State (6-0).
Following a ho-hum seven-point first quarter, the Nittany Lions poured down on UMass (1-7) like the soaking rain did the entire game. In the end, a strong defensive effort, superior special teams, and a powerful second-half offensive burst equaled a 63-0 Nittany Lion win.
Penn State did just what they needed to do to win in all phases of the game. Good special teams had 56 and 68-yard punt return TDs by Daequan Hardy. They had an efficient passing game with Theo Johnson hauling in two touchdowns. There was a balanced running game that produced four touchdowns by four different players. The defense held UMass to only 45, yes 45 yards. Amazing.
“This is going to change things for us,” Coach James Franklin said about the performance of Daequan Hardy in special teams. Daequan “was the story of the night” with his two punt return TDS according to Coach Franklin. Coach said he was impressed with the Nittany Lion defensive effort once again. The defense “Controlled the game” and was “suffocating all night long.” “We continue to play complementary football.” Coach Frankin feels the team continues to play “winning football.”
Clearly the bye week and status of the opponent had an effect on the Nittany Lions. The only score in the first quarter was a weaving Daequan Hardy punt return at the 4:17 mark. In quarter two Penn State got on track with 71 and 80-yard touchdown drives six minutes apart that broke things open. QB Drew Allar and TE Tyler Warren proved to be a deadly Red Zone combo again. The duo teamed up on a seven-yard touchdown going into the half to make it 28-0 at the break.
The second half continued to demonstrate the Penn State onslaught. Theo Johnson hauled in Drew Allar’s touchdown passes on consecutive possessions. A 68-yard TD punt return by Hardy really blew things open. Trey Potts and Beau Pribula crashed the touchdown party in quarter four to make the final score 63-0.
Penn State’s season is on the brink this week. The Nittany Lions have their pivotal matchup with archrival Ohio State in Columbus next Saturday. We will be there. Strap in.
