Penn State’s Offense Pulls Its Defense To Victory For First Time In Some Time

It was high flying. It was chucking the ball deep. It was generating big plays and scores with relatively ease. 

On Saturday, Penn State’s offense took a step forward. 

Now about that defense. 

In an afternoon with another strong performance from Penn State’s offense, it was a surprising, nearly shocking performance from the defense that almost backfired in the Nittany Lions’ 34-27 win over Bowling Green in Beaver Stadium. 

Over the last, well, while, much of the frustration from Penn State’s fan base has been directed toward the offensive side of the ball. It wasn’t explosive enough. It fell short of how well the defense played. It couldn’t score when it needed to score. Penn State’s offense was probably the single reason why it missed the four-team playoff in 2023 and other years as well. 

But on Saturday, Penn State’s offense clicked. It moved the ball with efficiency and speed. There were explosive plays littering the field like Beaver Stadium chicken basket liners. 

And then there was the letdown of Penn State’s defense in the first half. 

It was a strange juxtaposition. Over the last few seasons, Penn State’s defenses don’t find themselves in shootouts often – and it was certainly a surprise to see one unfold against a MAC opponent. For Linebacker U., particularly in the first half, it was nowhere near the standards many of the 103,861 in attendance are accustomed to. 

Penn State allowed an opening drive touchdown for the first time in 28 games – nearly a three-year streak snapped at the hands of a 30-plus point underdog. It served as a smack in the face to Penn State fans looking forward to an early-exit victory. 

As Connor Bazelak’s passing attack gashed Penn State’s defense, who gave up 24 points before halftime, it appeared as though Penn State’s defensive prowess had been left back in Morgantown. In the first two quarters, the Falcons offense picked up 286 yards. In comparison, the Mountaineers picked up 246 yards on the entire afternoon a week ago. 

Penn State’s defense couldn’t handle the underneath passing game, struggled to complete tackles and appeared to crash from the high of last week’s more emotional win, now facing a what should have been a preseason-chalk-it-up-as-send-in-the-3rd-stringers-in-the-3rd-quarter opponent. 

For many, Penn State’s 2024 defense seemingly could – and would – exceed the success it achieved last year in spite of replacing core edge rushers like Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac. Plus, its secondary had been boasted and bragged about by the coaching staff as equally, if not more, complete than the one that played last season. 

But inside Beaver Stadium on Saturday it did not play to any of those standards until it was nearly too late. Even if it was a late arriving noon student section, those last few stragglers looked more awake than Penn State’s defense. The front seven lost at the line of scrimmage repeatedly, failing to get home, and the secondary gave up passing plays for 29 yards, 16 yards and 32 yards in the first half.

With Manny Diaz gone as defense coordinator, so too were his trademarks of aggressive attacking style. Instead, Tom Allen’s defense faced its first real problem of the 2024 season. 

Fortunately for those feeling restless, Penn State’s offense kept Penn State’s defense in the game. After trailing 17-7, back came the explosive plays Penn State fans were promised this offseason, by way of a three-play drive. 

Quarterback Drew Allar found Tyler Warren for 22 yards, Nicholas Singleton rushed for 24 more and then Allar heaved one to Omari Evans for 29 yards and six points.

And after halftime, to his credit, Allen’s defense settled in. It allowed just 89 yards, generating a crucial three-and-out that led to Allar finding Singleton for a 14-yard passing play, capping off an 85-yard drive and giving the Lions their first lead of the game. It was one of many yet again impressive throws by the junior quarterback that did not show up often last season. 

For the second game in a row, Penn State looked confident on offense.

Warren, too, had an impressive afternoon and showed how much of a weapon he can be to Allar this season by racking up 146 yards on eight catches. His growth continues to be underappreciated nationally but with more days like the one he had Saturday, that could – or should – change quickly. 

While Bowling Green struggled to adjust to Penn State’s offense allowing 14 unanswered, Penn State’s defense executed more sharply in the second half, most notably in the game’s final quarter. 

Penn State’s defense picked Bazelak off twice in the final quarter, steadying plays after an unsteady start. The second of those interceptions set up a one-play, 41-yard run for a touchdown by Singleton. That play signified that he, like his quarterback, had taken a step forward this offseason and what a promising combo Penn State’s offense and defense can be. 

Saturday’s win over Bowling Green served as a reminder of how important defenses have been to Penn State’s relatively recent success over the years. But its late start was also a reminder that had Penn State’s offense not been clicking, it would have been a difficult afternoon to bear. September and its non-conference opponents are for growth and the Lions nearly failed to take a step forward on Saturday. 

It would appear they’ve learned a lesson and Penn State fans have learned they can count on Penn State’s offense. 

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