Penn State defensive tackle Zane Durant, 28, celebrates a tackle against SMU during the first half of the first round of the NCAA College Football Playoffs, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry leaguer)
STATE UNIVERSITY — Penn State’s College Football Playoff debut was a good one. The Nittany Lions defeated Southern Methodist 38-10 and will face No. 3 Boise State in the CFP quarterfinals.
The Nittany Lions entered halftime with a 28-0 lead, scoring two points on defensive turnovers and SMU finished the game with three interceptions.
Drew Allard was 13-of-22 for 127 passing yards, and Nick Singleton ran for 90 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. SMU’s Kevin Jennings went 20-of-36 for 195 yards, three picks and a touchdown, and Brashard Smith led SMU’s ground game with 62 yards on 18 carries.
Dominic DeLuca had a 23-yard interception midway through the first quarter to take a 7-0 lead, and Tony Rojas made a 59-yard pick-six with 13:09 left in the second quarter to take a 14-0 lead. Penn State’s first offensive touchdowns were scored on a 25-yard run by Caitron Allen with 5:00 left in the first half, and on a 1-yard run by Singleton with 63 seconds until halftime.
SMU’s touchdown came in every game except War. Roderick Daniels Jr. caught a 28-yard touchdown from Jennings 7:31 into the game, cutting the deficit to 38-10.
The Nittany Lions held a 325-253 advantage in total yards, averaging 5.0 yards per play. Penn State also held the advantage in possession from 31:06-28:54.
UNIVERSITY PARK – Penn State Nittany Lion wrestler Beau Bartlett has been named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week.
Ben Dalton continued to add to his scoring numbers Friday night, leading the way with a career-high 25 points.
