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It took 88 minutes and 88 seconds for someone to finally score on Penn State this season. And even then, it was only a field goal.
The first touchdown came more than seven quarters into the season, when a backup quarterback named Ben DiNucci scrambled across the goal line and into the end zone with 10:-09 to play in Saturday’s game.
Once gain, the Lions defense held up their end during a 33-14 pounding of Pitt, keeping the Panthers out of the end zone until it was way too late and limiting them to two measly field goals through the first three quarters.
That was a lot more than Akron managed in a 52-0 Penn State victory in the season opener, but not nearly enough to keep Pitt in the game.
Penn State’s offense made sure of it.
This time, it was Trace McSorley hitting tight end Mike Gesicki with a couple of short and quick touchdown passes in the first half until Saquon Barkley got going in the second. Barkley opened up the game in the second half, scoring on a 46-yard touchdown pass and blasting across the goal line with an eight-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter to give Penn State a 28-6 lead.
That provided some sweet revenge for Penn State against its in-state rival, after Pitt emerged with a 42-39 victory in the second game of 2016 to ultimately keep the Lions out of the four-team NCAA Playoffs.
This season, Penn State is determined to let nothing stand in the way of their postseason dreams. Not even a Pitt team that spent most of Saturday playing keep-away with the football.
OFFENSE
Somehow, the Lions emerged with 241 offensive yards after three quarters, despite getting just 24 snaps in the first half. While Penn State didn’t splash Beaver Stadium with big chunks, the Lions were efficient and productive enough to put Pitt away early. Grade: B
OFFENSIVE LINE: The guys up front weren’t exactly blowing holes open for Barkley to run through, but against a defense stacked to stop him, what are you going to do? Quarterback McSorley wasn’t pressured much, which is a credit to the pass blocking. Grade: B
QUARTERBACK: McSorley threw for just 164 yards while completing 15 of 28 passes, but he did toss three touchdowns and helped the running game by scrambling for 65 yards. Grade: B-
RUNNING BACKS: Barkley finished with just 88 yards on 14 carries, but he did score twice and added a 32-yard kickoff return to go with his two catches for 46 yards. Grade: B
WIDE RECEIVERS: DaeSean Hamilton led the team with three catches for 43 yards, including a spectacular, one-handed grab in the fourth quarter. Gesicki also made three snags, including touchdowns of 8 and 10 yards. B-
DEFENSE
Another Saturday, another dominating performance by Penn State. Pitt managed just 91 passing yards through three quarters and the Lions stopped the running game when it counted. Grade: B+
Defensive line: While they didn’t get to the quarterback, the line help up its end enough to create gaps for the guys behind them to make plays. Grade: B-
Linebackers: Jason Cabinda finished with eight tackles and Koa Farmer shared in a stop for a loss. Koa Farmer added five stops, including a sack in the final 30 seconds followed by a fierce quarterback pressure that caused a fumble and helped keep Pitt from scoring a second touchdown. Grade: B
Secondary: The Lions did an outstanding job in coverage, and were even better at making game-changing plays. Marcus Allen had a team-high 10 tackles, including a hard tackle in the end zone for a four-yard loss and a fourth-quarter safety. Corner Grant Haley and safety Troy Apke both came up with interceptions as the Lions kept frustrating Pitt. Grade: A+
SPECIAL TEAMS
Punter Blake Gillikin dropped three kicks inside Pitt’s 20-yard line, and the coverage units didn’t let Panthers dangerous return man Quadree Henderson break free. Aside from Barkley’s 32-yard kick runback, Penn State’s DeAndre Thompkins added a 16-yard punt return. Grade: B
COACHING STAFF
The most impressive part of the day was how Penn State didn’t panic while Pitt’s offense was eating up most of the clock. Some impressive play-calling by offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead made sure the Lions remained in control, even when the Panthers were bringing the house at Barkley. Grade: B+