Wisconsin’s Tawee Walker runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Molly Gash)
MADISON, Wis. (AP) – Penn State’s Beau Pribula said he received a simple message from Drew Allard Saturday night before filling in for the injured quarterback in the second half.
“Press that” Mr. Pribula remembered what he had heard.
That’s exactly what he did.
Pribula led a touchdown drive in back-to-back series as the Nittany Lions overcame Aller’s injury to beat Wisconsin 28-13, and Jalen Reed’s 19-yard interception return put No. 3 Penn State out of the running. took the lead.
The second-half comeback ensured that Penn State (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) will carry an undefeated record into next weekend’s home showdown with No. 4 Ohio State.
Aller landed a little awkwardly when he was sacked on Penn State’s final series of the second quarter and entered the locker room ahead of his teammates in the final minutes of the first half. Aller returned to the field in the second half with a brace on his left knee, but remained on the sideline that night.
Penn State coach James Franklin did not immediately give an update on Aller’s status after the game. Pribula believes Aller helped him through Penn State’s late surge.
“He was great supporting me throughout the game and giving me tips when he saw something on the field.” Pribula said.
The Nittany Lions led 10-7 when Aller was ejected. Penn State also lost defensive end Dani Dennis Sutton and offensive tackle Anthony Donko to injury.
Reed and Pribula helped make sure the Nittany Lions remained undefeated anyway.
“It’s just a courageous victory.” Franklin said. “You’re going to lose your starting quarterback. You’re going to lose your starting and finishing. You’re going to lose your starting offensive tackle, the next guy. There’s no excuses. From my perspective, I think this is just a triumph of a culture of courage.” I did.”
Pribula completed 11 of 13 through the air for 98 yards, including a 1-yard touchdown to Khalil Dinkins. He also gained 28 yards on six carries as Penn State outscored Wisconsin 21-3 in the second half and ended the Badgers’ (5-3, 3-2) winning streak at three.
“We have prepared very well every week for an opportunity like this, just in case.” Pribula said. “I had confidence in myself. I needed everyone to know that nothing was going to change. We were going to be okay.”
But it was Reed who made the biggest play of the night.
Wisconsin’s Bradyn Lock threw from his own end zone on 8th and 14, sending a pass over the middle and directly to Reed. A Penn State safety then barreled into the right corner of the end zone, giving the Nittany Lions a 14-10 lead with 6:29 left in the third quarter.
“(I was) quite surprised.” Reid said. “I thought he was looking at me, but I guess he wasn’t. I appreciate that.”
Rock made no excuses after that.
“I have to make better decisions and not throw it to the other team.” Lock finished 22 of 42 for 217 yards.
Lock fired back on Wisconsin’s next series with a 33-yard pass to C.J. Williams, setting up Nathanial Vakos’ 32-yard field goal and cutting Penn State’s advantage to 14-13. Pribula responded by leading Penn State into the end zone on each of the next two balls.
“He made some really, really big plays in the second half.” Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell said:
Pribula found Dinkins wide open in the back of the end zone with 10:01 left, capping a 13-play, 81-yard drive. After Wisconsin went three-and-out on its next series, Penn State scored again on Caitron Allen’s 24-yard scamper with 3:10 left.
Before leaving the game, Aller was 14 of 18 for 148 yards in the first half and had a 6-yard touchdown pass to Nick Singleton, who made a one-handed grab. Aller also forced a fumble on a 4-inch snap against Wisconsin 28, denying the Nittany Lions a scoring opportunity on the opening series.
Wisconsin led 10-7 at the half thanks to Vacos’ 50-yard field goal on the first series of the game and Tawee Walker’s 1-yard touchdown run with 1:23 left in the second quarter. Vakos’ field goal came after punter Atticus Bertrams ran a 15-yard fake punt.
Take-out
Penn State: The Nittany Lions showed their depth by dominating the second half without several key players. Penn State also dominated Wisconsin, 173-81, with Allen gaining 86 yards on 11 carries, while Walker was held to 59 yards on 22 attempts.
Wisconsin: The Badgers seized a golden opportunity to change their recent history of struggles against ranked teams.
Wisconsin is 2-14 in its last 16 games against Top 25 teams, including 0-5 under second-year head coach Luke Fickell.
Penn State is expected to remain in third place when the new top 25 is announced on Sunday.
to the next
Penn State hosts Ohio State next Saturday, and Wisconsin visits Iowa the same day.
