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Rudel’s Rutgers highs & lows

By Neil Rudel 3 min read

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's 40-36 victory over Rutgers on Saturday at SHI Stadium:

Play of the game: Amare Campbell scooped up a fumble by Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and raced 61 yards for a touchdown that gave the Nittany Lions a 40-36 lead with 7:27 remaining.

Offensive player of the game: Kaytron Allen rushed 22 times for 226 yards and a touchdown. He had gains of 55, 43 and 50.

Defensive player of the game: Campbell made a season-high 14 tackles, including five solos, and a sack.

Most telling statistic: Penn State averaged 9.1 yards on 33 carries for a team total of 300.

Most deceiving statistic: Rutgers lost despite passing for 338 yards and gaining 27 first downs.

Hidden statistic: The Lions were 3-for-3 on fourth down.

Best run: Kaytron Allen broke off a 55-yard run in the first quarter, setting up the Lions' 14-7 lead.

Best pass: Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis lofted a pretty 39-yarder up the left sideline to Kenny Fletcher Jr. in the first quarter.

Worst pass: Both quarterbacks threw very well. But since we have a category, Ethan Grunkemeyer was behind an open Trebor Pena in the first half.

Best catch: Easy call. Rutgers' KJ Duff made a leaping, one-handed reception for 41 yards in the fourth quarter. One of the best in college football this year.

Catch it, will ya: Nick Singleton dropped a catchable wheel route in the second quarter. Offensive tackle Drew Shelton dropped a 2-point conversion attempt.

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

Best block: Freshman receiver Koby Howard came back to screen Andrew Rappleyea's first-quarter TD.

Best tackle: Rutgers' Jett Elad hustled to just trip up Singleton following a 53-yard gain in the first quarter.

Best hit: Dom DeLuca broke through to drill Kaliakmanis for a 6-yard loss late in the second quarter.

Best kick: Nit punter Gabe Nwosu got some roll on his 56-yarder in the fourth quarter.

Worst kick: Weren't any.

Best call: On fourth-and-1 from the PSU 47, the Lions dialed up a delayed play-action pass from Grunkemeyer to Rappleyea, and it went for a 53-yard TD.

Worst call: Rutgers had a chance to take a 10-7 lead in the first quarter, but its fake field goal attempt -- on fourth-and-8 -- was snowed under by Zion Tracy.

Worst penalty: State faced fourth-and-1 at its own 28 and decided to go for it with 11:24 left. Grunk successfully ran a QB sneak for a first down, but the Nits were called for a delay of game penalty, costing them five yards and forcing a punt.

Best effort: Rutgers running back Antwan Raymond rushed 29 times for 189 yards, caught two passes for 62 more and scored twice.

Unsung hero: Singleton racked up 183 yards of total offense on 15 touches (9-86 rush, 2-23 pass, 4-74 kickoff returns).

Starting at /week.