In a dominating win, the Penn State Nittany Lions are now 6-0. The Nittany Lions defeated the UMass Minutemen 63-0. Penn State is coming off of their bye week and needed a big win this weekend. The dominant win led the team to be able to pull their starters early, leaving them rested ahead of next week’s big game. Here is a look back on this blowout win for the Nittany Lions.

Offense Finally Attempts Explosive Plays

There has been discussion for a couple of weeks now regarding Penn State’s offense attempting explosive plays. This is something the unit has been missing this year. When head coach James Franklin was asked about it this week, he seemed pretty annoyed about the question. Well, against the Minutemen, fans were finally able to see quarterback Drew Allar take deeper shots. The longest passing play of the game was for 30 yards to tight end Theo Johnson.

Despite the weather, the Nittany Lions offense dominated. The first two drives were not the best by any means, especially with one fumble, but they cleaned it up right after. By the end of the game, Allar had 16 completions out of 23 attempts for 162 yards and three touchdowns, according to ESPN. With the weather, this could have been much more sloppy than it was, which is great for the young quarterback.

Penn State RB Nicholas Singleton (10) – Joe Hermitt

As for the run game, numerous Nittany Lions got their chance to take the ball downfield. There were four rushing touchdowns scored in the game, each by a different player. Nicholas Singleton was the go-to player with 15 carries for 79 yards, according to ESPN. His longest was for just ten yards, but no touchdowns.

Kaytron Allen got fewer carries, but still scored a touchdown. The other three touchdowns were from Beau Pribula, Trey Potts, and Allar. The two players that had the most explosive runs were actually not starters. Pribula had a 31-yard run and Tank Smith had a 39-yard run. It was an overall strong day for this offense. Seven offensive touchdowns is big, and will only help this team when it comes to the AP Top 25 Poll.

Daequan Hardy has Himself a Day

This victory was an overall team win and nothing should take away from that. But still, Dauquan Hardy did some of the punt returns this weekend, and he had himself a day. Hardy did not just have one punt return for a touchdown, he had two. His final stats from the game for return yards were three returns for 129 yards and two touchdowns, according to ESPN. He was the first Nittany Lion to score, and that shifted the entire game.

Following the game, Franklin was asked why Hardy was not the punt returner previously. Franklin explained that there was a camp competition between him and Kaden Sanders. Fans should definitely expect them to both be utilized moving forward. Franklin’s response can be read here, posted on X by Audrey Snyder.

Penn State defenders Dvon Ellies (91) and Abdul Carter (11) – AP Photo/Barry Reeger

Defense Forces Shutout

You simply can’t talk about this game without talking about the Penn State defense. Even without starters, the defense did not allow UMass to put up any points. On the Minutemen’s last drive of the game, they were starting to put something together, but in the end, the Nittany Lions accomplished the shutout. The defense ended the game with seven sacks, according to ESPN. The sack leader for the night was defensive end, Adisa Isaac, who totaled 2.5 sacks. He also had 3.5 tackles for loss.

The defense put a ton of pressure on Umass. Neither quarterback had time in the pocket causing sacks or incomplete passes. Safety, Keaton Ellis also deserves to be singled out. In the third quarter, Ellis had an interception that would have been a pick-six, if it were not for a penalty pushing them back. This defense continues to dominate, and will hopefully keep it up in a tough matchup next weekend.

Penn State CB Cam Miller and DE Dani Dennis-Sutton  –
Joe Hermitt/jhermitt@pennlive.com

Where Does Penn State Go From Here?

The Penn State Nittany Lions are 6-0, and about to have a critical game. The Nittany Lions will move on to face the Ohio State Buckeyes. It will be a home game for the Buckeyes, a tough challenge for the Nittany Lions. Only one of these teams will walk out undefeated, and both will have to play at their top level in this crucial Big Ten matchup.