Throughout the second half of Saturday’s game, I thought one thing: Penn State has all the tools to win a game like this.
You could easily argue that for the first time in eight seasons, the Nittany Lions have the makings to win a game like Saturday’s classic in LA. Ironically, eight years ago was the last time USC and Penn State faced each other. It was in the 2017 Rose Bowl, a few weeks after Penn State won its most recent Big Ten title.
This 2024 Penn State team could be even better. They are 6-0 and have a quarterback with the poise to bring his team back from a 17-point deficit and put the team on his shoulders when they needed him most. The two fourth-and-long conversions to Julian Fleming were the two biggest plays of Penn State’s season thus far, and Drew Allar was money on both of them. Without those two plays, Penn State would likely fall to USC, and the question of winning big games remains.
USC was and still is a good team. Saturday was a “big game” win for Penn State and used to be the type of game many pundits would say a James Franklin coached Penn State team couldn’t win. When was the last time a Penn State game provided as much excitement that late into the game and overtime?
Another difference in this squad that seemed rarely present in past Penn State teams is the offense’s ability to pick up a struggling defense. PSU gave up 30 points against USC, and in many years, including last season, a 30-23 deficit against an above-average defense would have been game over. It seems this season and this offense, and as Saturday’s win proved, is different.
Andy Kotelnicki has the pieces and, most importantly, the quarterback to make a late-game comeback, where pinpoint throws and pocket maneuverability are crucial. I came away from yesterday’s game realizing that this Penn State offense just feels different when a play is needed. I am not saying I knew they would convert those two fourth downs, but I had confidence in the quarterback, receivers and the playcaller to get a good look.
That is a feeling I certainly did not have at any point last year.
No, USC is not Ohio State or Oregon, but they are a really good team and took it to Penn State’s defense for the better part of the game. The offense, led by Allar, came up clutch and showed they were ready for the next test. If they can shake the slow starts, the Nittany Lions can beat Ohio State in early November, compete for the Big Ten title and be a legit contender for the College Football Playoff.
Perhaps Penn State is not as good as its current No. 3 ranking, but after beating USC this weekend, the Nittany Lions have all the tools needed to go on a run they haven’t been on since 2016.
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