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Highs & Lows

By Neil Rudel 3 min read
Wisconsin defensive back Javan Robinson (2) breaks up pass intended for Penn State wide receiver Brett Eskildsen (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

UNIVERSITY PARK --Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State's 24-20 loss to Wisconsin on Saturday at Beaver Stadium:

Play of the game: Colton Joseph found Jacob Harris wide open for a 72-yard pass that put the Badgers up 24-20 with 1:13 remaining.

Offensive player of the game: Joseph was only 18-of-38 and was intercepted three times. But he threw for 235 yards and two touchdowns in the second half to come back from a 17-0 deficit on the road.

Defensive player of the game: Tony Rojas made six tackles, including two for loss, intercepted a pass and was credited with a quarterback hurry.

Most telling statistic: Wisconsin outgained Penn State 208-52 in the fourth quarter.

Most deceiving statistic: The Badgers were penalized nine times --- four on their game-winning drive.

Hidden statistic: Penn State went four straight three-and-outs in the second half.

Best run: On third-and-9 from the Wisconsin 43, and the Lions' offense struggling, Rocco Becht scrambled 19 yards for a first down, which helped set up a field goal and a 20-10 lead with 3:53 left in the third quarter.

Best pass: Joseph's 11-yard touchdown pass to Eugene Hilton Jr., pulling the Badgers within 20-17 with 3:31 left, was perfect.

Worst pass: Fresh from his pick-6, Joseph was way off near the Penn State sideline. Daryus Dixson intercepted and returned it 24 yards to the Badger 11. Three plays later, the Lions went up 17-0.

Best catch: Freshman cornerback Josiah Zayas pulled in an interception with one hand in the first quarter and returned it 50 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 PSU lead.

Catch it, will ya: No obvious drops, but Brett Eskildsen could have come down with two 50-50 balls in the fourth quarter.

Hold it, won't ya: Becht fumbled twice but recovered both.

Best tackle: On first down at the Badgers' 33, up 24-20, Wisconsin's Sebastian Cheeks broke through to sack Becht for a 4-yard loss.

Best hit: Yvan Kemajou drilled Joseph, contributing to a second-quarter incompletion.

Best kick: Wisconsin punter Sean West boomed a 58-yarder that the Badgers downed at the Nits' 5 in the first quarter.

Worst kick: Still up 20-10 midway through the fourth quarter, from midfield, PSU punter Nathan Tiyce chunked one 31 yards to the Badgers' 25 when a coffin-corner was in order.

Worst penalty: Anthony Donkoh's false start late in the first half wiped out an 8-yard completion on first down with 1:07 and three timeouts left and became an empty series.

Best call: On third-and-2 from the Wisconsin 3, Taylor Mouser emptied the backfield for Becht, who scored on a QB draw to put the Lions up 17-0 with 10:29 left in the second quarter.

Worst call: On third-and-12 from the Nits' 10, the Lions tried James Peoples up the middle, which UW stuffed, cueing some boo birds.

Best effort: Wisconsin linebacker Mason Posa made 12 tackles, including eight solos, both game highs.

Unsung hero: West averaged 47.5 yards on six punts with three over 50 and also put three inside the 20.

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