No. 4 Penn State averts upset bid, edges Minnesota

Field Level Media|published: Sat 23rd November, 19:32 2024

Nov 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) runs for a touchdown against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Nicholas Singleton rushed for a go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter and No. 4 Penn State converted a fake punt late in the fourth, helping it secure a 26-25 victory over Minnesota on Saturday in Big Ten play at Minneapolis.

Penn State's Drew Allar completed 21 of 28 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown.

Omari Evans reeled in a 45-yard scoring strike and Tyler Warren had eight catches for 102 yards for the Nittany Lions (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten), who overcame two blocked kicks to record their third win in a row.

With Penn State nursing a 26-25 lead and in punt formation, upback Luke Reynolds took the snap and rushed 32 yards on a fourth-and-1 play with 3:38 remaining in the fourth quarter. Allar rushed for 2 yards to convert one fourth-down play and completed an 11-yard pass to Warren on another to seal the win.

Minnesota's Max Brosmer completed 15 of 23 passes for 175 yards and a one touchdown. He also was intercepted once.

Marcus Major rushed for a 20-yard score and tight end Jameson Geers reeled in a touchdown pass for the Golden Gophers (6-5, 4-4), who dropped two in a row following a four-game winning streak.

Minnesota followed up Derik LeCaptain's blocked punt by converting on the next play, with Brosmer capping a flea flicker by connecting with Geers on a 21-yard touchdown pass. The trick play staked the Golden Gophers to a 17-10 lead with 1:03 remaining in the second quarter.

Penn State answered on the ensuing drive as Allar rushed up the middle for a 4-yard touchdown. The Nittany Lions were denied on their bid to tie the game, as Jack Henderson blocked the extra-point attempt and Ethan Robinson scooped up the ball and raced down the field for the conversion to extend Minnesota's advantage to 19-16.

Dragan Kesich drilled a 42-yard field goal to increase the Golden Gophers' lead early in the third quarter before Singleton raced 12 yards for a score to give Penn State a 23-22 advantage.

Kesich answered Ryan Barker's second field goal with his second of the day.

--Field Level Media

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