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Southern California had No. 5 Penn State on the ropes after a stunningly effective first half that saw the Trojans turn the page on last week’s loss to Minnesota and resemble the team some thought could be a factor in the race for the College Football Playoff.
But the second half saw the Nittany Lions round back into form. Down 20-6 at the break, they tied the game with under five minutes to go in the third quarter and seemed poised to pull away in the fourth to remain unbeaten.
The response from USC tells the story of the Trojans’ first run through the Big Ten.
Penn State gifted USC a short field late in the third quarter on a Drew Allar interception, one of three on the day from one of the best in the Bowl Subdivision at avoiding turnovers. But the Trojans were only able to get a field goal to take a 23-20 lead into the final quarter.
Ahead 30-23 with six minutes left, USC gave up a pair of fourth-down conversions to help PSU draw even with about three minutes remaining. On the final drive of regulation, USC played for overtime instead of pushing the ball downfield for a chance at the possible game-winning field goal.
After USC missed a field goal on the first possession of overtime, the Nittany Lions converted a 36-yard field goal to escape with a 33-30 road win.
Penn State running back Kaytron Allen (13) runs for a short gain in the first half against Southern California at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Close. So, so close for USC. But not quite.
There are some positive signs amid a third loss in four games to open Big Ten play. In addition to Saturday’s first half and competitive loss, there was the second half against Michigan, when USC came within a late defensive stand of a narrow win. Before losing to the Golden Gophers, the Trojans looked very good in a win against Wisconsin,…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/penn-state-comeback-texas-rout-234017710.html
Author : USA TODAY Sports
Publish date : 2024-10-12 23:40:17
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