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PSU-Rutgers highlights, lowlights

UNIVERSITY PARK — Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State’s 27-6 victory over Rutgers on Saturday at Beaver Stadium:

Play of the game: Will Levis hit Jahan Dotson with a 44-yard touchdown pass with 12:16 remaining to put the Nittany Lions up 20-6.

Offensive player of the game: Journey Brown rushed for 103 yards on 16 carries and three touchdowns.

Defensive player of the game: Micah Parsons contributed a game-high 10 tackles, including one sack.

Most telling statistic: The Scarlet Knights outgained Penn State 383-333.

Most deceiving statistic: Rutgers won time of possession, 33:11-26:49.

Hidden statistic: PSU converted just three of 10 third downs.

Best run: Levis rumbled 49 yards in the third quarter.

Best pass: Rutgers quarterback Johnny Langan hit Bo Melton for 27 yards in the first quarter.

Worst pass: Levis undershot his deep throws, including over the middle deep to an open KJ Hamler in the third quarter.

Best catch: Rutgers’ cornerback Tre Avery’s interception

Catch it, will ya: Didn’t see an obvious PSU drop.

Hold it, won’t ya: Penn State didn’t fumble.

Best block: Rasheed Walker helped spring Brown for 19 yards in the first quarter.

Best tackle: Cam Brown broke through to sack Langan in the fourth quarter.

Best kick: Blake Gillikin used his senior-day window to bomb a 72-yard punt to the Rutgers 3 in the second quarter.

Worst kick: Rutgers’ Justin Davidovicz missed from 35 to close the first half, leaving the Lions’ lead at 7-3.

Worst penalty: PSU freshman corner Marquis Wilson goaded Melton into an after-the-whistle infraction that cost Rutgers 15 yards in the second quarter.

Best call: Rutgers went to some early razzle-dazzle with a fake double-reverse that Langan turned into a 39-yard pass to Aaron Young in the first quarter.

Worst call: This would be more worst strategy than worst call, but Penn State ran Levis 17 times. That’s 36 times in two weeks while subbing for starter Sean Clifford, who is hurt because he’s banged up. See a pattern here?

Best effort: Credit to how hard Rutgers played, particularly Isaih Pacheco, who rushed for 102 yards on 18 carries and was not thrown for a loss. He also caught a pass for 6 yards.

Unsung hero: PSU freshman cornerback Trent Gordon made three tackles and broke up two passes.

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