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By Neil Rudel
nrudel@altoonamirror.com
UNIVERSITY PARK -- Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's 27-11 victory over UCLA on Saturday at Beaver Stadium:
Play of the game: There wasn't a clear-cut choice so we'll go with third-and-4 from the PSU 31, Lions leading 7-3, and Drew Allar threading a 24-yard NFL pass to Liam Clifford, which set up the Lions' second TD with 24 seconds left in the first half.
Offensive player of the game: Allar completed 17-of-24 for 237 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.
Defensive player of the game: Safety Zakee Wheatley made seven tackles, including three solos.
Most telling statistic: Of the Bruins' 260 total yards, 115 came in the fourth quarter.
Most deceiving statistic: The Lions controlled the game despite rushing for just 85 yards.
Hidden statistic: Plagued by penalties through four games, the Nits committed just two for 20 yards.
Best run: UCLA's T.J. Harden caught a wheel route and blazed 53 yards in the second quarter.
Best pass: See play of the game.
Worst pass: Allar missed an open Kaytron Allen in the second quarter.
Best catch: Clifford had to wait for Allar's 57-yarder in the fourth quarter.
Catch it, will ya: Julian Fleming dropped a pass on the Lions' first possession that led to a punt. Omari Evans did the same a quarter later.
Hold it, won't ya: Penn State didn't fumble.
Best block: Penn State offensive tackle Vega Ioane pancaked UCLA's Luke Schuermann in the second quarter.
Best tackle: Jaylen Reed sacked Bruin QB Justyn Martin, forcing a fumble (Martin recovered) and a punt in the third quarter.
Best hit: Dani Dennis-Sutton decked Martin, causing a first-quarter incompletion.
Best kick: New PSU placekicker Ryan Barker nailed a 40-yard field goal in the fourth quarter.
Worst kick: Didn't see one.
Best call: On third-and-goal from the UCLA 5, the Lions released tight end Tyler Warren for an easy touchdown, extending the lead to 14-3.
Worst call: Never got close enough for either coach to make one.
Best effort: Lion freshman safety Dejuan Lane chased down Harden at the PSU 10 and State held UCLA to a field goal.
Unsung hero: Clifford caught three passes for 107 yards.
Best moment: Paul Posluszny, set for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in December, was introduced with his family in the first half.