No. 4 Penn State Inches Closer to College Football Playoff After 49-10 Blowout at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Tyler Warren took the direct snap and dashed 48 yards into the end zone. He was untouched on the way to his second touchdown of No. 4 Penn State’s 49-10 win at Purdue (1-9, 0-7) on Saturday. Warren led the Nittany Lions (9-1, 6-1) with 127 receiving yards, 63 rushing yards and two touchdowns, helping to propel the program closer to a debut in the College Football Playoffs.

It was utter domination on both sides of the ball. Drew Allar completed 17-of-19 pass attempts for 247 yards and three touchdowns, running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton each scored while defensive ends Dani Dennis-Sutton and Abdul Carter combined for eight tackles and four tackles for loss.

With strong contributions on both sides of the ball, the Nittany Lions are now two wins away from likely clinching a bid for the 12-team College Football Playoff. After returning from West Lafayette, James Franklin will begin preparation for another trip, a game at Minnesota next weekend. Penn State will conclude its regular season at home against Maryland on Nov. 30.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Not even midway through the third quarter, most of the NFL personnel in attendance had exited the press box. They’d seen enough from Warren and Carter, who are both projected first-round NFL Draft picks. It’s likely they were also impressed by the poise and pocket presence of Allar, as well as the burst in limited carries from Singleton.

Allar completed nine of his first 10 pass attempts, connecting with Warren and Allen for scores on consecutive drives. Then came Singleton, who rushed 10 yards into the end zone in the second quarter for his first rushing touchdown since Sept. 28. Warren scored again in the third quarter, preceding Harrison Wallace III’s wide open 46-yard touchdown.

Beau Pribula replaced Allar in the third quarter and broke off for a 49-yard touchdown rush that officially put the game out of reach.

Purdue scored on a second-quarter field goal and a fourth-quarter touchdown pass from Ryan Browne to Max Klare.

TRUE FRESHMEN INVOLVEMENT

The Nittany Lions outgained the Boilermakers 539-298, a performance that paved the way for 12 true freshmen to play in the second half. 

Here’s the list: tight end Luke Reynolds, offensive lineman Cooper Cousins, safety Dejuan Lane, wide receiver Tyseer Denmark, cornerback Antoine Belgrave-Shorter, defensive end Jaylen Harvey, cornerback Jon Mitchell, offensive lineman Eagan Boyer, running back Corey Smith, defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam, cornerback Kenny Woseley Jr. and linebacker Anthony Speca.

Reynolds caught three passes for 53 yards and his first-career touchdown, Smith received a team-high eight carries and rushed for 37 yards and Woseley led all true freshmen with three tackles.