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COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Following are the highlights and lowlights from Penn State’s 51-15 victory over Maryland on Saturday at SECU Stadium:
Play of the game: On fourth-and-1 from the Maryland 45 on the Terps' first series, Curtis Jacobs and Jaylen Reed combined to dump Corey Dyches for a 1-yard loss, setting an immediate tone.
Offensive player of the game: Drew Allar completed 25-of-34 passes for 240 yards and four touchdowns. He was not intercepted.
Defensive player of the game: Abdul Carter led the Lions with six tackles, including a sack. He also broke up a pass.
Most telling statistic: Maryland could not run the ball at all, finishing with negative 49 yards.
Hidden statistic: The Nits converted seven of 15 third downs and were 3-for-3 on fourth down.
Most deceiving statistic: Penn State overcame seven penalties or 74 yards.
Best run: On third-and-4 from the Penn State 41, Allar scrambled a season-long 21 yards to the Maryland 38 in the second quarter. Who knew?
Best pass: Lot of good ones on both sides, but Allar's 8-yard touchdown to Tyler Warren with 2:34 left in the first half that put the Nits up 21-7 was rifled.
Worst pass: Taulia Tagovailoa was picked off by Dom DeLuca in the fourth quarter as Maryland totally unraveled.
Best catch: Dante Cephas did a nice job to get his foot down on a 6-yard touchdown catch that opened the scoring.
Catch it, will ya: Usually keep this local, but Maryland's Jeshaun Jones flubbed a ball late in the second quarter, which broke Tagovailoa's streak of 17 straight to open the game. Warren dropped two balls, including a TD in the fourth quarter.
Hold it, won't ya: Penn State didn't fumble.
Best block: Warren and Khalil Dinkins helped spring Nick Singleton's 51-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter.
Best tackle: See play of the game.
Best hit: Adisa Isaac shook a fumble out of Tai Felton in the first quarter, and Zane Durant recovered.
Best kick: Alex Felkins' 39-yard field goal in the fourth quarter made him 3-for-3 on the day.
Worst kick: Gabe Nwosu booted a kickoff out of bounds in the fourth quarter.
Best call: On third-and-goal from the Terps' 2, the Lions brought out some trickery as Beau Pribula took the snap and flipped it to Allar, who found Theo Johnson for a TD and a 14-0 lead with :02 seconds left in the first quarter.
Worst call: Penn State's decision to go after the Maryland punter - and roughing him - gave the Terps life in the first half.
Worst penalty: Down 21-7 after a first-down incompletion, Maryland's Taizse Johnson was called for roughing the passer, jump-starting a PSU drive that resulted in a field goal.
Best effort: Kaytron Allen's carried Maryland's entire defense into the end zone for a 10-yard TD in the fourth quarter.
Unsung hero: Cephas had his best day as a Nittany Lion with six catches for 53 yards and two TDs.
Best moment: Maryland introduced its 1983 ACC champion, including then-coach Bobby Ross, in the first quarter. Among the Terps on hand was Shawn Benson of Altoona, who started on the O-line.