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No. 6 Penn State gives slight edge to Washington in front of sold-out Beaver Stadium

Harry November 10, 2024

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — White Out conditions were in full effect as Penn State defeated Washington 35-6.

The Nittany Lions (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) used last week’s loss to Ohio State as motivation and entered the first half with a 28-point lead. With 110,233 in attendance, the game drew the ninth largest crowd in Beaver Stadium history.

While the running game, red zone and receivers were issues against the Buckeyes, none of those woes were evident against Washington (5-5, 3-4).

Another record from Tyler Warren

Penn State tight end Tyler Warren again holds the record. This time following the Washington game, Warren had the most catches and yards in program history by a Nittany Lions single-season tight end.

The record was a small part of a dominant game for Warren. He dominated the first half with two direct hits on the goal line; he scored in both tries.

After last week’s red zone miscues, head coach James Franklin appeared to have gotten the message.

The Huskies had no answer on the ground or through the air for Warren, who had 8 catches for 75 yards. He gave up for failure but delivered another all-time performance.

Defense returns to “standard”

Starting with junior linebacker Abdul Carter, Washington had no answer to Penn State’s defensive onslaught. Carter entered draft season with questions about his engine. He replied.

The La Salle College High School graduate reached another level, fighting off potential holding penalties to accumulate four tackles for loss and two sacks.

Senior safety Jaylen Reed backed Carter’s efforts with his third pick of the year. This was another dominant showing by defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s defense; He held starting running back Jonah Coleman to 2.2 yards per carry and held quarterback Will Rogers to 59 yards through the air.

Quick start

Penn State has struggled to get off to a fast start throughout the season. This situation ended on Saturday.

Although Washington got close to the red zone on the first possession, they missed a costly shot and were unable to score for the rest of the half.

On the other end, Penn State’s offense got going with junior quarterback Beau Pribula rushing for a touchdown. Pribula finished the game with 220 yards and a touchdown as the Nittany Lions scored on each of their four possessions in the first half.

Wide receivers answer the call

James Franklin hoped that Saturday would be the day that the troops who accepted him would show up, and so it was.

Led by Julian Fleming’s first touchdown pass as a Nittany Lions, Penn State’s receivers got open early and often, and the game plan got tons of love.

Redshirt junior Trey Wallace III led the way with five catches for 84 yards. Junior Omari Evans had a hand in Penn State’s success, making a targeting call that led to Washington cornerback Thaddeus Dixon being ejected early.