Penn State running back Kaytron Allen is tackled by Rutgers defensive back Jett Elad during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Penn State closed the regular season with a victory over Rutgers on Saturday, and now it will turn its full attention to hiring James Franklin’s replacement.

The Nittany Lions won their third-straight game under interim coach Terry Smith by holding off the Knights, 40-36, before 55,215 at SHI Stadium.

The win evened PSU’s record at 6-6 and qualified the Lions for bowl eligibility.

“It definitely wasn’t a pretty victory, but victories count all the same,” Smith said. “Our offense played unbelievable.”

Penn State allowed 533 yards — 339 in the air — but the Lions countered with 509 of their own.

“Our defense played horribly,” Smith said. “We struggled all night. We didn’t have answers for their receivers, and our tackling wasn’t good.”

However, on a day in which neither defense performed even admirably, Penn State made two defensive plays that proved to be the difference.

With Rutgers winning 36-33 midway through the fourth quarter and driving, Penn State’s Amare Campbell scooped up a fumble by Knights’ quarterback Aiken Kaliakmanis and raced 61 yards for a touchdown that gave the Nittany Lions a 40-36 lead with 7:27 remaining.

“We needed a jolt, and that play gave it to us,” Smith said.

“I was thinking, ‘just don’t get caught and don’t fumble,'” Campbell said.

Rutgers wasn’t finished. It drove up the field, thanks to a leaping, one-handed catch by KJ Duff for 41 yards and faced fourth-and-1 at the Lions’ 27 with 3:55 left.

Kaliakmanis tried the edge but was dumped by Zion Tracy and Campbell.

Moments later, Allen picked up 50 yards to the RU 28, and the Lions were able to put the game away.

They converted a fourth-and-1 at the RU 10 with a 3-yard pickup on a pass from Ethan Grunkemeyer to Andrew Rappleyea and then went into victory formation.

Smith was proud that the Lions melted the last 3:55, and he passed on a short field goal (and a 43-36 lead) with 1:04 left because he didn’t want to give the ball back to Rutgers.

“I was thinking about the Indiana game and what I’d do differently,” he said. “We wanted to end the game on our terms.”

Allen carried 22 times for a career-high 226 yards and a TD and surpassed the 4,000-yard mark for his career.

Nick Singleton added 86 yards on nine carries and two scores.

Grunkemeyer completed 17-of-21 for 209 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.

The Lions didn’t turn the ball over.

Both teams came out hot offensively.

Kaliakmanis completed his first five passes, and the Knights’ opening drive was capped by Antwan Raymond’s 19-yard touchdown run.

Penn State answered quickly when Rappleyea caught a 53-yard TD from Grunk on fourth-and-1 to tie the game at 7.

Singleton’s 11-yard touchdown punctuated a four-play, 75-yard drive that included Allen’s 55-yard burst and gave the Nits a 14-7 lead.

Singleton’s TD gave him the Penn State record for career rushing touchdowns (44) and career TDs (54).

RU tied it at 14 on Kaliakmanis’ 2-yard run with 1:30 remaining in the first quarter.

Penn State rushed for 152 yards in the first quarter on just eight carries – four each for Allen and Singleton — and Rutgers passed for 142, completing 7-of-10.

Allen’s 15-yard TD rush on the first play of the second quarter gave State a 21-14 advantage.

Rutgers tied it at 21 with just 27 seconds left in the first half when Kaliakmanis found DT Sheffield for a 21-yard score.

Grunk, though, showed poise and completed three passes for 48 yards to set up Ryan Barker’s 31-yard field goal, which gave the Lions a 24-21 lead to close the half.

“That was big-time to get three points there,” Smith said.

Barker added another field goal early in the third quarter.

Down 27-21, Rutgers continued its passing success, and it took a 28-27 lead with 3:51 left in the third quarter when Kaliakmanis found Duff on a 13-yard slant for a touchdown.

Kaliakmanis completed 16-of-22 for 338 yards, three TDs and no interceptions. Duff made five catches for 127 yards.

Penn State took back the lead at 33-28 on Singleton’s 1-yard touchdown run, which finished an 83-yard drive with 54 seconds left in the third quarter. The big plays were Allen’s 43-yard run, and a 23-yard reception to Kyron Hudson. The 2-point conversion pass failed.

Rutgers responded with a 75-yard touchdown drive, taking the lead on Kaliakmanis’ 46-yard pass to Raymond with 13:33 remaining. Kaliakmanis hit Duff with a 2-point conversion to make it 36-33.

On their next series, Lions faced fourth-and-1 at their own 28 and decided to go for it. Grunkemeyer successfully ran a quarterback sneak for a first down, but the Lions were called for a delay of game penalty, costing them five yards and forcing a punt.

On Rutgers’ next series, Kaliakmanis fumbled.

The Knights finished the season at 5-7.

The Lions improved their record to 3-3 under Smith after the same record got Franklin fired on Oct. 12.

Smith has stated his case to be Franklin’s successor, but he was more reserved Saturday.

“Last week (after beating Nebraska), I came in here with a lot of energy,” he said. “Now, I’m just thankful.”

He said he doesn’t have clarity from athletic director Pat Kraft on when the new coach might be named but said he will look forward to next Sunday’s bowl announcement.

“No timetable,” he said.

He said he intends to give the players the upcoming week off.

About the defense, he said, “We’re going to get it fixed for the bowl game.”

The Mirror will have more coverage in Penn State Extra on Monday.