Shakeia Taylor: Who is the Big Ten’s best team? With QB Drew Allar and the offense emerging, it may be Penn State.

CHICAGO — Is Penn State the best football team in the Big Ten?

The Nittany Lions (6-0, 3-0) fought back Saturday from a 14-point halftime deficit at USC (3-3, 1-3) to win 33-30 in overtime. Led by quarterback Drew Allar, the Penn State offense came alive in the second half after reaching the red zone just twice in the first half.

Allar finished 30 of 43 for 391 yards and two touchdowns and led second-half scoring drives of 75, 90, 72 and 75 yards. Despite three interceptions — which feel kind of forgettable considering the outcome — Allar came through when Penn State needed it with its back against the wall, and the timing couldn’t have been better.

Tight end Tyler Warren had 17 receptions for 224 yards and a touchdown and played a major role in Penn State getting it right in the second half. He was everywhere, playing both quarterback and receiver. On one play Warren both snapped the ball and caught Allar’s touchdown pass that cut USC’s lead to 20-13.

It was an impressive showing for coach James Franklin’s Nittany Lions, who, during his tenure, have found themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time. Before Saturday, Penn State had lost its last three road games as a top-five team, all by five points or fewer.

Halfway through the regular season, if Saturday’s thriller is any indication, the Nittany Lions might have found their groove.

With games against Wisconsin, Ohio State, Washington, Purdue, Minnesota and Maryland ahead after a bye in Week 8, No. 3 Penn State has a chance to finally exorcise its playoff demons and maybe even get a big and much-needed win against the fourth-ranked Buckeyes — a win that surely would show the selection committee the Nittany Lions finally have arrived.

With Allar’s new swagger and arrival as a gunslinger, Penn State is certainly a team to watch atop the…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/shakeia-taylor-big-ten-best-093000759.html

Author : Chicago Tribune

Publish date : 2024-10-15 09:30:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.