In a familiar pattern, mistakes doomed Penn State in their Big Ten Championship loss. The Nittany Lions fell to #1 Oregon 45-37, in a game where the offenses showed up to play. The teams set the record for the most points scored in the first half of a Big Ten title game, combining for 55 points. However, this game unfolded similarly to other games this season. A slow start, too many penalties, and lackluster special teams proved costly for Penn State.
Penn State has gotten off to slow starts in too many games in 2024. As evidenced by four second-half comebacks this season, the Nittany Lions were able to adjust and come back to win. However, this art of the comeback becomes much more difficult against the top team in the nation and did not happen in this one. Additionally, Penn State committed too many penalties, particularly early on. Coming off the field at halftime, head coach James Franklin said, “As long as we’re not hurting ourselves, we’re going to have a chance tonight.” In addition to hurting themselves with penalties, the special teams unit of the Nittany Lions did not help. Kicker Ryan Barker missed a makeable field goal, which proved costly and changed the dynamics of the game.
The College Football Playoff (CFP) is up next. While a victory and Big Ten title would have resulted in a first-round bye, all is not lost. Penn State will now likely host a first-round game in Happy Valley. Despite picking up the second loss of the season, Penn State is still in good shape heading to the playoffs. Leaving with that momentum is important for the program.
Key Takeaways: Mistakes Doomed Penn State in Big Ten Championship Loss
#3 Penn State fell to #1 Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game, 45-37. On the field before the game, Penn State coach James Franklin referred to the game as “a heavyweight, four-quarter game.” The heavyweight bout filter proved to be a good lens through which to look at the game.
Here We Go Again
There were far too many games this season where Penn State put themselves behind the figurative eight ball, and needed to come back. The Big Ten Championship Game was no different. Penn State was constantly fighting to come back all game. Getting within one score on numerous occasions, they were not able to further capitalize. Oregon jumped out to an early lead and never trailed in the game. This was a one-score game in the fourth quarter, but Penn State was never able to take the lead.
Oregon came out and asserted itself as the #1 team in the nation. With a combination of speed and power, the Ducks jumped out to early 7-0 and 14-3 leads. Penn State did not help its own cause. As mentioned above, falling behind early has been symptomatic of Penn State this season. Additionally, the 65 penalty yards in the first half made the mountain even higher to climb.
Penalties are a part of the game, and as Franklin noted at halftime, two of the four 15-yard penalties were facemasks that happen sometimes. However, special teams are another facet of the game that has been a self-inflicted challenge to Penn State this year. After Sander Sahaydak lost the kicking job for the second straight season, Barker has kicked fairly well. However, on the biggest stage that he has been on, Barker missed a field goal on the first drive of the second half. Instead of being Penn State within four points, Oregon took the ensuing drive to the endzone to extend the lead to 14.
Penn State Punches Back
In the past, even as recently as last season, Penn State and quarterback Drew Allar would have folded when things did not go well early on. Following Allar’s first interception of the game, and his sixth of the year, the game and momentum heading to the CFP were on the precipice. How would Penn State respond? Would Allar become hesitant and more conservative? Would the defense stop playing hard? The answers to both questions were resounding no’s.
Allar’s critical interception was returned to the Penn State one-yard line. One play later, Oregon scored a touchdown to take a 28-10 lead. With a narrative from the past that would have pointed to a blowout, Penn State showed the program’s maturation. Allar did not shy away from throwing the ball. Kaytron Allen ran with purpose. After getting banged up in the third quarter, he returned, played very tough, and was a tone-setter for the team. Even the wide receivers contributed more than in most games. The defense continued to compete against the high-octane Oregon offense, though they were exhausted by the tail end of the fourth quarter.
While the outcome is not what Penn State wanted, some positives can be taken from this game. The resolve shown by the Nittany Lions was obvious, and it felt different than years past. This fight and no-quit attitude will bode well for them in the CFP, and in ensuing seasons. Perhaps fittingly, the game was clinched on an Oregon interception on a deep pass by Allar as a result of an aggressive play call by offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki.
By the Numbers: Mistakes Doomed Penn State in Big Ten Championship Loss
Offense
Passing: Penn State threw for 226 yards, compared to 283 for Oregon. Allar completed 20 of 39 for 226 yards, with three touchdowns and two interceptions. For Oregon, Dillon Gabriel completed 22 of 32 for 283 yards, with four touchdowns and no interceptions.
Rushing: Penn State had 292 yards, compared to 183 yards for Oregon. Allen led Penn State, and all players, with 124 rushing yards on 14 carries, and one touchdown. Nick Singleton added 105 yards on 10 carries. Allar had the other Penn State rushing touchdown. Oregon was led by Jordan James, who had 87 yards on 20 carries with two touchdowns. Noah Whittington rushed 15 times, gaining 82 yards.
Receiving: Tyler Warren led Penn State with 84 yards on seven catches. Singleton, Harrison Wallace, and Omari Evans each had a Penn State receiving touchdown. For Oregon, Tez Johnson led the team with a game-high 11 receptions, and game-high 181 yards, with a touchdown. Kenyon Sadiq had two receiving touchdowns, and Terrance Ferguson added another Oregon receiving touchdown.
Defense/Special Teams
Defense: Kobe King and Zakee Wheatley each had nine tackles to lead Penn State. Tysheem Johnson led Oregon with a game-high nine tackles, while Devon Jackson added seven. Oregon’s two interceptions were by Dontae Manning and Nikko Reed.
Special Teams: For Penn State, Barker converted one of two field goal attempts. He converted all four of his extra-point attempts. Riley Thompson punted two times, averaging 47.0 yards per punt. For Oregon, Atticus Sappington converted his only field goal attempt, as well as all four extra-point attempts. Additionally, Andrew Boyle successfully converted both of his extra point attempts. Ross James punted three times, averaging 43.7 yards per punt, and Luke Dunne punted once for 42 yards.
