You see this all the time in football. Weather always play a big part in how a football game is played and sometimes dictates an outcome. In the case of Penn State, Saturday’s weather certainly affected how the game was played. The weather did affect the score, but not the outcome. The favored Nittany Lions battled Northwestern and Mother Nature to a 17-7 Big Ten Win. Penn State moves to (5-0) and is still atop the Big Ten East. Northwestern falls to (1-3).
Wind and rain forced Penn State to stick to the ground most of the game. Nick Singleton had a touchdown and 87 yards and Kaytron Allen had 86 yards, each with 21 carries. The weather caused four fumbles due to the extremely wet field conditions. The wind and rain throughout the game limited Sean Clifford and the PSU passing game to only 140 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. In another way, the weather benefited Penn State. The 14-point PSU margin of victory came from points the Nittany Lions cashed in via Northwestern turnovers. The Northwestern offense had trouble all day with field position, a strong Penn State defense, and three turnovers.
“I am never going to allow the weather to be an excuse,” said Head Coach James Franklin. These were “less than ideal conditions” but Coach Franklin maintained that the weather cannot be an excuse in a football game. Coach Franklin praised his defense as well. “The Defense had five straight three and outs to start the game” which impressed Coach Franklin. We have a “bye week, not an off week upcoming” Coach Frankin said. Coach maintained there is a lot of work and improvement needed before the next game.
Kaytron Allen dives across for a 1st down to seal hard fought 17-7 win for @PennStateFball over @NUFBFamily @bigten @PremiunSports @BadgleyBruce pic.twitter.com/n7Y3SQA01Q
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) October 1, 2022
Here is the complete highlight of Ji Ayir Browns INT https://t.co/U88zn5PueS pic.twitter.com/yEx1isc7Ik
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) October 1, 2022
At the end of the first quarter, Penn State got on the board via a Sean Cliiford TD pass.
Sean Clifford great touch on the TD. Here is the video https://t.co/ek1tw8RBPa pic.twitter.com/VvofQ7v3M9
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) October 1, 2022
Lots of turnovers in the first half. Penn State’s Nick Singleton cashes in on the turnover and gets it across the goal line to make it 14-0 with 5:02 left in the first half.
Here is the complete video of Nick Singletons TD https://t.co/wpJ79dJvd6 pic.twitter.com/9c0vLqD7Sc
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) October 1, 2022
It was a turnover-filled first half. We went to the break, 14-0 Penn State up over Northwestern
7 total turnovers in the @PennStateFball win today https://t.co/xCE7QtgDaR pic.twitter.com/88oAGdEdD4
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) October 1, 2022
Defense ruled quarter three. Finally, Northwestern took advantage as the quarter wound down to make things interesting at 14-7.
Northwestern made the game interesting today late in quarter 3. Here is the TD toss video https://t.co/UrKid7OjT8 pic.twitter.com/2rcGPJB094
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) October 2, 2022
Penn State closed out the scoring with a 38-yard Field Goal by jake Pinegar.
Let’s not forget about Jake Pinegars 38 yard field goal who made it a two score game in the 4th quarter pic.twitter.com/pnwCsKY28o
— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) October 2, 2022
Penn State is off next week and at Michigan in two weeks. Northwestern moves on to host Wisconsin next week.
