Happy Valley—–The Nittany Lions hosted the Washington Huskies on Saturday night for the team’s annual White Out, delivering a dominant performance from start to finish. The Nittany Lions claimed a decisive 35-6 victory, rebounding strongly from last week’s 20-13 defeat to the Buckeyes.
Entering the game at 8-1 overall and 5-1 in Big Ten play, Penn State’s offense had shown promise throughout the season but faltered against Ohio State, raising questions about its true potential. However, Saturday’s game saw the offense at its peak when it mattered most.
Quarterback Drew Allar led the charge, as the Nittany Lions scored on all four first-half drives, overpowering a Washington defense ranked 24th in ESPN analyst Bill Connelly’s SP+ efficiency rankings.
Allar was sharp in his execution, and offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s play-calling proved to be on the money.
With a 28-0 lead after four possessions and a perfect 7-for-7 on third downs in the first half, Penn State’s offense set a high bar for the rest of the season.
As strong as the offense looked, the defense was even more impressive. Likely one of the best defenses in the country, Penn State’s unit shut down nearly everything Washington tried. Defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s squad continually pressured Washington’s quarterbacks, limiting the run game to sporadic gains.
Even when Washington’s players managed to win individual battles on the outside, these moments rarely resulted in big plays. The Huskies finished with only 193 total yards, while Penn State’s defense logged five sacks and nine tackles for loss.
Despite concerns from early-season slow starts, the Nittany Lions’ defense has established itself as the team’s strongest unit, proving its worth with yet another dominant Big Ten performance.
