State College, Pa. — Quarterback Drew Allar passed for 237 yards and a touchdown, while also adding a rushing score, to lead No. 7 Penn State to a 27-11 victory over UCLA on Saturday.
Despite being without star running back Nick Singleton, Penn State still found offensive success. Tyler Warren caught a touchdown pass in the final minute of the first half, and Kaytron Allen added a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter.
Allar had earlier opened the scoring with his own 1-yard run in the second quarter. Kicker Ryan Barker contributed two field goals, and the Nittany Lions (5-0, 2-0 Big Ten) once again showcased a dominant second-half defensive performance, closing out a four-game home stand with the win.
“I think our third-quarter defense all year has been ridiculous,” said head coach James Franklin, expressing his satisfaction with the team’s defense.
UCLA (1-4, 0-3 Big Ten) managed to get on the scoreboard with a 25-yard field goal from Mateen Bhaghani, making it 7-3. However, Penn State responded with another long scoring drive, capped off by Warren’s touchdown catch before the break.
“When we get into heavy personnel, it’s hard to match up with us,” Allar said after completing 17 of 24 passes. “We’re able to spread the formation wide into an open set, and that causes a lot of stress for the defense.”
The Bruins scored a late touchdown with a 1-yard pass from Justyn Martin to Logan Loya, followed by a successful 2-point conversion.
“Defense played well,” said UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster. “Offensively, we just kept putting our defense in tough situations.”
This game was the first of the season in which Penn State failed to rush for 100 yards. Allen led the way with 78 of the team’s 85 rushing yards on 21 carries.
Takeaway:
UCLA: While the Bruins’ defense put up a solid effort, the offense continued to struggle. Entering their first Big Ten road game, UCLA ranked 127th nationally in total offense, averaging just 262 yards per game. Without starting quarterback Ethan Garbers, who sat out with a leg injury, the Bruins were unable to generate much offensively.
Up Next:
UCLA: Plays Minnesota on Saturday at home.
Penn State: Visits No. 11 USC on Saturday.
