Trending
By Neil Rudel
nrudel@altoonamirror.com
Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's 49-10 victory over Purdue on Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium:
Play of the game: Tyler Warren took the snap and threw a lateral to Drew Allar, who then found Warren up the left sideline for 38 yards in the second quarter, which set up the Nittany Lions' 21-3 halftime lead.
Offensive player of the game: Warren accounted 190 yards of total offense -- 127 on eight catches and 63 on three runs. He scored a touchdown receiving and rushing.
Defensive player of the game: Abdul Carter made five solo tackles, including two for loss, and had a quarterback hurry.
Most telling statistic: Penn State averaged 8.8 yards per play.
Most deceiving statistic: The Boilermakers made seven tackles for loss.
Hidden statistic: In four games against Top 10 opponents this year (PSU, Ohio State, Oregon, Notre Dame), Purdue was outscored 195-17.
Best run: On third-and-1 in the third quarter, Warren took a direct snap and rushed 48 yards for a touchdown to give the Lions a 28-3 lead.
Best pass: Allar chucked a 46-yard touchdown pass to Trey Wallace in the third quarter, raising the lead to 35-3.
Worst pass: Penn State didn't throw any. Three of its four incompletions were dropped.
Best catch: Purdue's Jamal Edrine reeled in a 30-yarder reception late in the second quarter that he caught simultaneously with Nit corner Audavion Collins, but advantage goes to the offense.
Catch it, will ya: Kaytron Allen dropped a short pass in the first quarter, and redshirt sophomore Anthony Ivey dropped a touchdown pass late in the third quarter.
Hold it, won't ya: Penn State didn't fumble.
Best block: Freshman tight end Luke Reynolds helped seal Warren's 48-yard TD run.
Best tackle: Carter showed his highlight-reel speed by chasing down C.J. Smith after an 11-yard reception in the third quarter.
Best hit: Backup safety Tyrece Mills came up to stick Purdue's Devin Mockobee, holding him to a 2-yard gain after Jaylen Reed went out.
Best kick: Purdue's Keelan Crimmons got a 58-yard punt to check up at the PSU 7 in the first quarter.
Worst kick: After the Boilers hustled into field-goal range, Purdue's Ben Freehill pushed a 49-yarder wide right to close the first half down 21-3.
Best call: Veteran official David Witvoet, in the replay booth, called for a stoppage after Hudson Card completed a 47-yard pass to the PSU 29 in the third quarter. Card was over the line of scrimmage, but officials on the field had ruled a completion. The replay brought the play back and penalized Purdue.
Worst call: Not crazy about a (CJF) first-down pass for a touchdown with 1:51 left against a feeble opponent.
Best effort: Penn State's offensive line didn't allow a sack.
Unsung hero: Zion Tracy made four tackles and returned three punts for 21 yards.