Penn State blows out Rutgers, 55-10, improves to 9-2

Franklin gets career victory No. 100

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Penn State is rolling toward season's end.

The Nittany Lions blew out Rutgers, 55-10, Saturday at SHI Stadium, registering their third-straight blowout while improving their record to 9-2 overall and 6-2 in the Big Ten.

The victory was career No. 100 for James Franklin, who has won 76 games at Penn State through nine seasons to go with his 24 in three years at Vanderbilt.

Rutgers started well and led the Lions 10-7 before Penn State ran off 48 straight points.

The Lions got three non-offensive touchdowns.

Defensive TDs were recorded on a 14-yard fumble return by Kobe King (forced by Marquis Wilson) to take a 14-10 lead and a 70-yard return by Ji'Ayir Brown (forced by Curtis Jacobs) to take a 35-10 lead early in the third quarter.

After Rutgers took an early 3-0 lead, freshman Nick Singleton returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.

The Lions' offense did not operate at peak efficiency as Sean Clifford was sacked twice early, and Singleton fumbled away a possession.

Eventually, the Lions' run game got into gear and wore down the Knights. Of Penn State's 239 rushing yards, 177 came in the second half.

Freshman Kaytron Allen led the PSU ground game with 117 yards on 11 carries, including a 57-yarder and an 8-yard score. Singleton added 62 yards on nine tries.

Clifford completed 17-of-26 for 157 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for a 14-yard TD.

Drew Allar finished up and completed 5-of-10 for 42 yards and a rushing TD.

Rutgers fell to 4-7 overall and 1-7 in the league.

Penn State will close out its regular season by hosting Michigan State (5-6, 3-5) on Saturday. Kickoff is 4 p.m., and FS1 will televise. The Spartans lost at home to Indiana 39-31 in double-overtime on Saturday.

The Mirror will have a full report in Penn State Extra on Monday.

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