LOS ANGELES — Tyler Warren had an outstanding game, securing 17 receptions to equal the FBS single-game record for tight ends, as Ryan Barker nailed a 36-yard field goal in overtime. The No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions erased a 14-point second-half deficit, ultimately triumphing over Southern California with a score of 33-30 on Saturday.
Drew Allar achieved a career-best 391 passing yards along with two touchdown throws, despite encountering three interceptions. Penn State, now boasting a record of 6-0 and 3-0 within the Big Ten, did not hold the lead for almost the entirety of the latter part of regulation, trailing the Trojans for a significant stretch. The Nittany Lions made a comeback to tie the score three times in the final 20 minutes, including a significant 14-yard touchdown reception by Nicholas Singleton with just over two minutes remaining.
The Trojans, now at 3-3 overall and 1-3 in the conference, saw Quentin Joyner score two early touchdowns. Unfortunately for USC, it has now lost three out of its last four games and has not managed to defeat a top-five opponent since overcoming No. 5 Penn State in a sensational 52-49 Rose Bowl match back in January 2017.
Warren concluded the game with a total of 224 receiving yards and one touchdown. His performance also set a new record for the most receptions by an opponent in USC’s storied football history, which spans 137 years.
Penn State began the game rather sluggishly during a daunting road trip, initially taking a 3-0 lead on their first possession. However, they fell behind quickly and were trailing 20-6 at halftime. It was only after halftime that their offense began to gain momentum.
USC had taken the lead with a touchdown pass from Miller Moss to Kyron Hudson with just under six minutes remaining in the game. Nevertheless, Allar’s prowess shined through as he converted two crucial fourth downs with big plays before finding Singleton for a touchdown to tie the scores again.
In a tense finale, USC advanced to midfield in the closing seconds, but an intriguing decision by coach Lincoln Riley to not call for any timeouts prevented the Trojans from building on their drive. This ultimately led to Jaylen Reed intercepting a pass from Moss with only five seconds to spare.
During overtime, USC’s efforts failed to gain traction, as they lost three yards on their initial three plays, prompting Michael Lantz to miss a 45-yard field goal attempt. Penn State quickly advanced to the 19-yard line, setting up Barker for the critical game-winning kick.
Moss finished the night with 220 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Joyner contributed with a 75-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter and a 9-yard scoring reception later on. Woody Marks also played a noteworthy role for USC with 111 rushing yards.
Supporting their team, Penn State fans made the trip to the Coliseum for what was the Nittany Lions’ first lengthy road outing in the current Big Ten season, marking their furthest travel for a regular-season contest since 1991.
Although USC’s defense kept Penn State from scoring in the first half, they were doing so while missing key players, including injured linebacker Eric Gentry and starting cornerback Jacobe Covington.
Joyner sparked the Trojans early with a dazzling 75-yard touchdown run that left Penn State’s defense scrambling, further punctuated by his first career touchdown reception shortly afterward.
In response to trailing by 14 points at halftime, Penn State utilized an impressive double pass for Allar to find Warren for a touchdown. They also orchestrated a 90-yard drive that featured a rushing touchdown by Kaytron Allen, tying the game shortly after.
Easton Mascarenas-Arnold’s interception allowed USC to add another field goal late in the third quarter, yet Penn State managed to equalize once again with 10:50 left on the clock after a thwarted drive.
In summary, while Penn State celebrated a thrilling victory, the manner in which they started the game and their defensive inconsistencies could signal trouble ahead against upcoming opponents like Ohio State. Meanwhile, USC shows promise in bouncing back from a previous defeat but struggles to secure finishes, leaving coach Riley with a record of eight losses in the last 13 games, thus putting them out of contention for significant postseason opportunities at this point in the season.
Looking ahead, Penn State will enjoy a bye week, while USC gears up for an upcoming game against Maryland on October 19.