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By Neil Rudel
nrudel@altoonamirror.com
UNIVERSITY PARK -- If the other guy can't score, he can't win.
Penn State seems to be embracing that attitude, and although the Nittany Lions aren't devoid of offense and special teams, their defense has been the season's shining star so far in a 5-0 start.
A glorious Saturday afternoon at Beaver Stadium brought the latest example as UCLA's only touchdown came in the final 16 seconds to set the final score at 27-11.
And while the Nittany Lions' defense has left room for improvement in the early portion of almost every game, no one can argue with the way they have burst out of their locker room at halftime.
"Our third-quarter defense all year has been ridiculous," James Franklin said afterward.
It can't be much better. The Nittany Lions have not allowed a single point in the third quarter this season, and they've given up just 17 in the second half.
Franklin was quick to remind that the Bruins' touchdown came against the Lions' backups.
"Overall, our starting defense held a Big Ten team to three points," he said. "In today's day and age, keeping people to a field goal is difficult to do."
"Anytime we go in the locker room (at halftime), we feel it's 0-0," safety Zakee Wheatley said. "The score doesn't matter."
Penn State's offense stands in admiration as well.
"I love their mentality and the way they play," said Tyler Warren, whose touchdown catch in the second quarter was the 17th of his career, breaking the school record for a tight end held by Pat Freiermuth.
Defensive coordinator Tom Allen deserves credit for his adjustments that have been made easier, Franklin and Wheatley said, by the available technology this year.
Wheatley played his best game as a Nittany Lion with seven tackles, including stoning UCLA running back T.J. Harden for a loss on fourth-and-1 at the PSU 23 on the Bruins' first series.
The play "gave the team more juice," Wheatley said.
None of the Lions were satisfied with yet another slow start that kept Penn State's offense on the sidelines for 10:07 of the game's first 15 minutes.
"I want us to make sure we start faster," Franklin said.
Like last week vs. Illinois, the Lions only led by a touchdown deep into the first half before Drew Allar found his groove and led an eight-play, 75-yard drive capped by a touchdown to Warren with 24 seconds left that provided a 14-3 lead and breathing room.
Allar hit 5-of-6 on the drive -- the one miss was a drop -- to five different receivers.
"That was really big," Allar said. "A good two-minute drill."
The defense then forced three straight punts as the Lions steadily pulled away.
While falling short of covering the 28-point spread, the Lions nonetheless overcame some adversity.
They were without leading rusher Nick Singleton, a late scratch due to an injury suffered against Illinois. Kaytron