UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – No. 6 Penn State (8-1, 5-1 Big Ten) defeated Washington (5-5, 3-4 Big Ten), 35-6, in front of a 110,233-strong White Out crowd on Saturday night at Beaver Stadium.
The Nittany Lions opened the night with touchdowns on each of their first four drives in the first half to take a 28-0 lead into the break. The dominant start powered Penn State to their eighth victory overall and fifth victorious decision in Big Ten play.
The Penn State offense totaled 486 yards. Quarterback Drew Allar completed 20-of-28 passes for 220 yards and a touchdown. Tight end Tyler Warren was Allar’s top target with 75 yards on eight catches. Warren’s effort helped him set Penn State’s single-season receptions record for a tight end, as his seventh catch of the night gave him 58 catches on the season, pushing him ahead of Mike Gesicki (57 catches, 2017) for the record. Wide receiver Julian Fleming hauled in an eight-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, while wide receiver Harrison Wallace III caught five passes for 84 yards through the air.
On the ground, running back Kaytron Allen led the way with 98 yards and a touchdown. Freshman running back Corey Smith ran for 95 yards on the final drive of the game, including a 78-yard dash that was PSU’s longest play from scrimmage in Saturday night’s victory. Nicholas Singleton added 45 rushing yards as well. Quarterback Beau Pribula scored the game’s first touchdown on an eight-yard run in the first quarter. In addition to his contributions in the passing game, Warren rushed for two scores, both from the two-yard line, in the second quarter.
The Nittany Lion defense held Washington’s stout offense to 193 yards, down from their season average of 429.1. Washington converted just four third downs in 13 attempts. The Blue and White contained the Washington passing attack, limiting the Huskies to just 119 yards. Safety Jaylen Reed intercepted a pass in the second quarter, his third of the season, helping the Nittany Lions limit the Huskies’ offensive production. Reed and linebacker Kobe King led the team in tackles with seven apiece.
Penn State held Washington to a meager 74 rushing yards on 33 carries, good for 2.2 yards per carry. Penn State’s pass rush forced five sacks from five different defenders. Defensive end Abdul Carter, linebacker Ta’Mere Robinson, defensive end Jordan Mayer, cornerback Audavion Collins and King made the plays in the backfield. Carter was a force all night with four tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Penn State picked up a 7-0 lead on a rushing touchdown by Pribula late in the first quarter. Pribula took the snap and scampered eight yards for the first score of the game, capping off a nine-play 72-yard scoring drive for the Nittany Lions on their first offensive possession of the game.
A two-yard rushing touchdown by Warren with 9:22 to play in the second quarter put Penn State up 14-0 over the Huskies. The Nittany Lions marched 80 yards down the field in 6:28 to go up two scores.
Reed intercepted Washington on its next possession, setting up the Nittany Lion offense at their own 42-yard line. Penn State scored its third touchdown of the night on the ensuing drive, going up 21-0 on the Huskies with 3:23 on the clock in the second quarter. Warren scored his second two-yard rushing touchdown of the night at the end of an eight-play, 58-yard drive.
Fleming’s first touchdown of the season put Penn State up 28-0 with 23 seconds on the clock in the opening half. The nine-play, 68-yard drive gave the Nittany Lions their fourth touchdown in four first-half possessions.
Washington scored its first points of the game on a 24-yard field goal in the third quarter. Following a turnover by the offense, Penn State’s defense prevented further damage, allowing just 28 yards to the Huskies before the successful field goal attempt.
A second field goal by Washington made the score 28-6 Nittany Lions at the 13:33 mark of the fourth quarter. The Huskies took 15 plays to travel 56 yards before they connected on a 35-yard field goal.
Penn State scored its fifth touchdown of the night with 4:50 to go in the fourth quarter, increasing its commanding lead to 35-6 on a one-yard rushing touchdown by Allen. The Nittany Lions continued their stifling defensive performance through the end of the game, earning a 35-6 White Out win.
The 2024 Penn State football season is presented by PSECU.