By Neil Rudel

nrudel@altoonamirror.com

MINNEAPOLIS — Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State’s 26-25 victory over Minnesota on Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium:

Play of the game: On fourth-and-1 from their own 38 with 3:38 left, leading 26-25, Penn State pulled a fake punt with freshman tight end Luke Reynolds gained 32 yards to help ice the game.

Offensive player of the game: Drew Allar completed 21-of-28 for 244 yards and a touchdown passing and rushing. He was not intercepted.

Defensive player of the game: Zane Durant made five tackles, including 2.5 for loss.

Most telling statistic: Of Penn State’s 117 yards rushing, 107 came in the second half.

Most deceiving statistic: The Lions won despite converting just 1-of-11 on third down. They were, however, 3-of-4 on fourth down.

Hidden statistic: State allowed a touchdown on Minny’s first offensive series and only one in the Gophers’ 10 ensuing possessions.

Best run: Aside from the play of the game, let’s go with Allar’s tough 4-yard scramble for a touchdown that pulled the Lions within 17-16 with 19 seconds left in the first half.

Best pass: Allar found Omari Evans wide open for a 45-yard touchdown, pulling the Lions within 10-7 with 10:48 remaining in the second quarter.

Worst pass: That would be Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer, who threw behind Elijah Spencer and was picked off by Dom DeLuca in the second quarter.

Best catch: Minny’s Daniel Jackson somehow hung on to a 23-yard reception in the fourth quarter.

Catch it, will ya: Trey Wallace dropped a catchable ball in the first quarter.

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

Best block: Dominic Rully (No. 52) of the punt team signaled for the fake punt and then threw the block that sprung Reynolds.

Best tackle: Kobe King dumped Darius Taylor on a swing pass for a 5-yard loss that forced a Minny punt late in the second quarter.

Best hit: See best catch. Jaylen Reed laid the wood to Jackson.

Best kick: Minnesota’s Dragan Kesich drilled a 48-yard field goal to put the Gophers up 10-0 early in the second quarter.

Worst kick: Lion punter Riley Thompson had a punt blocked late in the second quarter, which Minnesota turned into a touchdown and a 17-10 lead.

Best call: The fake punt. But honorable mention to Minnesota. After the blocked punt put the Gophers at the PSU 21, Minny sprung a flea flicker with Brosner hitting Jameson Geers for a touchdown and a 17-10 lead with 1:03 left in the first half.

Worst call: Having Tyler Warren attempt a pooch punt from the Minnesota 38, with the Nits down 22-16 in the third quarter. It went 16 yards.

Best effort: Nick Singleton accounted for 100 yards on 19 touches — 63 on 13 rushes and 37 more on six catches.

Unsung hero: With the Lions down 10-7 in the second quarter, DeLuca picked off a pass and returned it 29 yards, setting up a field goal.