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Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's 41-12 victory over Auburn on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium:
Play of the game: Leading 24-6, Nittany Lion safety Ji'Ayir Brown intercepted Auburn quarterback TJ Finley and returned it
27 yards (plus 15 more on a late hit out of bounds) with 4:14 left in the third quarter. It let out what little air War Eagle had left.
Offensive player of the game: Nick Singleton rushed for 124 yards on 10 carries, including two touchdowns of 4 and
54 yards.
Defensive player of the game: Brown made five tackles, including a sack to go with an interception and a forced fumble.
Most telling statistic: Penn State averaged 6.3 yards per rush and gained 245 for the game.
Hidden statistic: The Lions have made one turnover in three games.
Most deceiving statistic: PSU was penalized nine times for 80 yards.
Best run: Singleton busted a 53-yarder on the Lions' first play of the second half, setting up his 4-yard TD that extended the Nits' lead to 21-6. Yep, off the right side again.
Best pass: Sean Clifford threw a gorgeous ball up the right sideline to Mitchell Tinsley for a 34-yard gain in the first quarter.
Worst pass: On third-and-6 from the Lions' 28, Finley was pressured by Jaylen Reed and threw an ill-advised pass that Zakee Wheatley dove to intercept.
Best catch: Auburn's Jarquez Hunter came up with super catch for 24 yards, on third-and-8, in the second quarter.
Catch it, will ya: Didn't see a PSU drop.
Hold it, won't ya: Auburn fumbled three times, losing two. Not faulting Clifford for his early fumble. See best hit.
Best block: Sal Wormley paved the way, taking out two Auburn defenders, for Clifford's 7-yard touchdown run that gave the Lions a 7-3 lead.
Best tackle: Curtis Jacobs sacked Finley on third-and-goal from the PSU 9, making Auburn settle for a field goal and a 3-0 lead.
Best hit: Auburn linebacker Owen Pappoe absolutely crushed Clifford following an 11-yard gain, forcing a fumble on the Nits' first possession.
Best kick: Jake Pinegar booted a 48-yard field goal in the third quarter, upping the Nits' lead to 24-6.
Worst kick: PSU's Sander Sahaydak booted a third-quarter kickoff out of bounds.
Best call: Penn State used razzle-dazzle in the second quarter as Clifford threw a backwards pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who then hit Clifford for a 25-yard reception, setting up the Lions' second TD.
Worst call: There was a QB draw to Clifford in the second quarter that went nowhere.
Worst penalty: After Finley picked up a first down with 30 seconds left in the first half, Auburn offensive lineman Brandon Council came barreling in and drilled Johnny Dixon in the back. The play cost Auburn 11 yards.
Best effort: Brenton Strange caught six passes for a career-high 80 yards and blocked well.
Unsung hero: Freshman tailback Kaytron Allen rushed nine times for 52 yards and two touchdowns.