Play of the game: Amare Campbell scooped up a fumble by Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and raced 61 yards for a touchdown that gave the Nittany Lions a 40-36 lead with 7:27 remaining.

Offensive player of the game: Kaytron Allen rushed 22 times for 226 yards and a touchdown. He had gains of 55, 43 and 50.

Defensive player of the game: Campbell made a season-high 14 tackles, including five solos, and a sack.

Most telling statistic: Penn State averaged 9.1 yards on 33 carries for a team total of 300.

Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (16) is tackled by Penn State linebacker Amare Campbell (24) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Most deceiving statistic: Rutgers lost despite passing for 338 yards and gaining 27 first downs.

Hidden statistic: The Lions were 3-for-3 on fourth down.

Best run: Kaytron Allen broke off a 55-yard run in the first quarter, setting up the Lions’ 14-7 lead.

Best pass: Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis lofted a pretty 39-yarder up the left sideline to Kenny Fletcher Jr. in the first quarter.

Worst pass: Both quarterbacks threw very well. But since we have a category, Ethan Grunkemeyer was behind an open Trebor Pena in the first half.

Best catch: Easy call. Rutgers’ KJ Duff made a leaping, one-handed reception for 41 yards in the fourth quarter. One of the best in college football this year.

Catch it, will ya: Nick Singleton dropped a catchable wheel route in the second quarter. Offensive tackle Drew Shelton dropped a 2-point conversion attempt.

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

Best block: Freshman receiver Koby Howard came back to screen Andrew Rappleyea’s first-quarter TD.

Best tackle: Rutgers’ Jett Elad hustled to just trip up Singleton following a 53-yard gain in the first quarter.

Best hit: Dom DeLuca broke through to drill Kaliakmanis for a 6-yard loss late in the second quarter.

Best kick: Nit punter Gabe Nwosu got some roll on his 56-yarder in the fourth quarter.

Worst kick: Weren’t any.

Best call: On fourth-and-1 from the PSU 47, the Lions dialed up a delayed play-action pass from Grunkemeyer to Rappleyea, and it went for a 53-yard TD.

Worst call: Rutgers had a chance to take a 10-7 lead in the first quarter, but its fake field goal attempt — on fourth-and-8 — was snowed under by Zion Tracy.

Worst penalty: State faced fourth-and-1 at its own 28 and decided to go for it with 11:24 left. Grunk successfully ran a QB sneak for a first down, but the Nits were called for a delay of game penalty, costing them five yards and forcing a punt.

Best effort: Rutgers running back Antwan Raymond rushed 29 times for 189 yards, caught two passes for 62 more and scored twice.

Unsung hero: Singleton racked up 183 yards of total offense on 15 touches (9-86 rush, 2-23 pass, 4-74 kickoff returns).