Penn State controls UCLA, breezes to 27-11 victory
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UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State's halftime routine includes a secret sauce.
The Nittany Lions' defense cruised to a 27-11 victory over UCLA before 110,047 on a picturesque afternoon at Beaver Stadium.
Penn State, which entered the game ranked No. 7 by the Associated Press, improved to 5-0 heading into next Saturday's showdown at Southern Cal.
UCLA’s only touchdown came with 16 seconds remaining on a 1-yard touchdown pass from Justyn Martin to Logan Loya followed by a successful 2-point conversion.
Penn State called two timeouts on UCLA’s last possession while attempting to defend against the late score.
Including the TD, the Nittany Lions have allowed just 17 points in the second half this season.
Drew Allar completed 17-of-24 passes for 237 yards and a TD. He was not intercepted.
Kaytron Allen was the Lions' top rusher, gaining 78 yards on 21 carries and one touchdown.
Penn State went without tailback Nick Singleton, who missed the game with an injury suffered against Illinois last week. He warmed up and was listed as questionable but did not play.
Liam Clifford was Allar's top target with three catches for 107 yards.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Lions put together a 16-play, 82-yard drive, capped by Allar's 1-yard plunge to take a 7-0 lead.
New placekicker Ryan Barker added the extra point.
When Penn State's pass defense sprung a leak and surrendered a 53-yard pass and run from Justyn Martin to T.J. Harden to the Lions' 10, UCLA cut the lead to 7-3 on Mateen Bhaghani's 25-yard field goal.
Allar got in gear late in the second quarter by hitting four straight passes for 67 yards and then finding tight end Tyler Warren for a 5-yard score to bump the lead to 14-3 with 20 seconds remaining in the half.
Penn State's defense asserted itself in the second half, forcing three punts and a turnover on downs before the last-minute TD.
Barker, who replaced Sander Sahaydak, nailed a 25-yard field goal, and the Lions' offense followed with a five-play, 58-yard scoring drive capped by Allen's 1-yard TD to go up 24-3 with 2:57 left in the third quarter.
Barker followed with a 40-yard field goal with 8:17 to play.
The Bruins played without their starting quarterback Ethan Garbers. He was replaced by Martin, who made his first start and completed 22-of-30 for 167 yards and a TD. He was not intercepted.
Kickoff at USC is 3:30 p.m. for CBS.
UCLA, now 1-4, hosts Minnesota. Kickoff is 9 p.m. (eastern) for BTN.
Southern Cal was shocked by Minnesota, 24-17, late Saturday night and fell to 3-2.
The Mirror will have a complete recap in Monday's Penn State Extra.