Sluggish Penn State rides defense to 27-6 victory over Rutgers
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UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State's history under James Franklin is to struggle the week after a tough loss.
It's happened over the years, it happened after the midseason loss to Ohio State, and it happened again Saturday against Rutgers.
In the aftermath of a turbulent week in which the Nittany Lions lost to Michigan, 24-15, and Franklin fired his offensive coordinator, Mike Yurcich, a day later, Penn State's offense never found a rhythm.
Backup quarterback Beau Pribula came off the bench following a third-quarter injury to starter Drew Allar, who took a shot while running and did not return.
Allar's injury appeared to be in the shoulder-chest area. After the hit by Rutgers' Flip Dixon, Allar remained on the field for one play and badly missed an open receiver at the sidelines before being removed.
Pribula wound up leading the Lions in rushing with 71 yards on eight carries, including a late QB touchdown plunge to make it 27-6 on a play in which he fumbled the ball and recovered it before crossing the goal line.
No. 12 Penn State improved to 9-2 on the season.
The Lions’ defense forced three turnovers and made seven tackles for loss.
The Knights took a 3-0 lead on their first possession by keeping the ball for 9:05 and moving 61 yards on 14 plays, making four first downs, before the drive stalled due to a holding penalty.
Penn State answered with Kaytron Allen's 2-yard touchdown run and Alex Felkins' 21-yard field goal to take a 10-3 lead.
RU's Jai Patel's 28-yard FG on the final play of the half pulled the Knights within 10-6.
Allar was injured when he took a hard shot by Rutgers' Flip Dixon in the third quarter, and Beau Pribula entered.
Pribula gave the Lions a boost with a 39-yard run to the 13, but Penn State could not punch it in as Pribula was stuffed on a fourth-and-1 at the Rutgers 4.
The Lions forced a punt and facing another fourth-and-1 from the Knights' 32, they opted for Felkins' 48-yard field goal, which was good for a 13-6 lead.
Chop Robinson's sack of Rutgers quarterback Gavin Wimsett forced a fumble that Robinson recovered at the Rutgers 42, and the Nits used the turnover to cash in a touchdown on Allen's 3-yard run for a 20-6 lead with 14:14 remaining.
For the second straight game, Penn State did not pass for 100 yards, finishing with 88. Allar was 6-for-13 for 79 yards and Pribula was 1-for-1 for 9 yards.
Penn State closes out its regular season with a Black Friday game at Ford Field in Detroit against Michigan State. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. for NBC.
Rutgers (6-5) will finish its regular season by hosting Maryland next Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
The Mirror will have a complete report in Penn State Extra in Monday’s print edition.