Penn State vs. USC score, takeaways: No. 4 Nittany Lions storm back, outlast Trojans in OT thriller

No. 4 Penn State overcame a 14-point, second-half deficit to leave the West Coast with a 33-30 overtime win over USC on Saturday. USC kicker Michael Lantz missed a 45-yard field goal in overtime, but Penn State kicker Ryan Barker converted his 36-yard attempt to seal the comeback

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar completed 30 of 43 attempts for a career-high 391 yards, and star tight end Tyler Warren finished tying the FBS record for catches in a single game by a tight end. Warren caught 17 passes for 224 yards and scored a 32-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

After heading into the locker room trailing 20-6, Penn State flipped the script with explosive plays to get back into the game. The Nittany Lions have now won 26 straight games vs unranked opponents dating back to the 2021 season.

USC coach Lincoln Riley was seeking his first marquee win as USC's coach against a top-five opponent, but Riley has now lost his last five games against top-five teams. Riley also dropped to 0-3  against AP top-10 opponents and 4-9 against ranked opponents during his tenure at USC. The Trojans' last win over a top-five opponent came in the Rose Bowl against Penn State in 2017.

Penn State (6-0, 3-0 Big Ten) will have a bye week before playing Wisconsin on the road on Oct. 26. USC (3-3, 1-3) will face Maryland on the road next Saturday.

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Drew Allar's career day

Final: Penn State 33, USC 30

Allar surprised his previous career-high of 325 yards passing as he finished 30 of 43 for 391 yards and two touchdowns. He also threw three interceptions, which matched his total from 28 career games entering Saturday's contest. But even after those miscues, Allar kept slinging as he notched career-highs in completions and attempts. he was particularly clutch on Penn State's game-tying drive in the fourth quarter as he found Julian Fleming for a pair of fourth-down completions to extend the drive.

USC did a good job of bottling up Penn State's running back duo of Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton, which put the onus on Allar to make plays. He rose to the occasion.

October 12, 2024, 11:37 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 7:37 pm EDT
 
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Tyler Warren's legendary performance

Final: Penn State 33, USC 30

Penn State tight end Tyler Warren was a center, a passer, a rusher and an unstoppable receiver against the Trojans. His 17 grabs tied an FBS record for most catches by a tight end in a game. The mark was originally set in 1967 and had been matched only once since then until Warren's 224-yard outburst.

The 6-6 target was particularly influential in getting the Nittany Lions back in the game on a wild play early in the third quarter. Penn State lined up with backup quarterback Beau Pribula in the shotgun behind Warren, who was lined up at tight end but nonetheless tasked with snapping the football. Pribula then lateraled to Allar, who lofted a 32-yard touchdown pass to Warren that required a contested, acrobatic catch. It was a bizarre trick play that helped jolt Penn State back to life. 

But it was just one highlight play among an afternoon of huge plays from the senior standout. In addition to being Allar's most-reliable target, he also completed a pass attempt for nine yards and carried the football for a 4-yard gain to convert a third-and-short in the first quarter.

October 12, 2024, 11:34 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 7:34 pm EDT
 
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USC's late-game horrors continue

Final: Penn State 33, USC 30

USC has been plagued with late-game woes since edging LSU 27-20 in Week 1 behind a 14-3 edge in fourth-quarter points. The Trojans were up 17-10 in the fourth quarter last week at Minnesota before the Gophers scored two touchdowns over the final 7:08 to complete a 24-17 victory. The Trojans also took a 24-20 lead at Michigan in Week 3 before faltering late in a 27-24 loss.

On Saturday, they led 30-23 with 5:56 remaining after quarterback Miller Moss found Kyron Hudson for a 5-yard touchdown strike. Once again, USC faltered in the end. After the Nittany Lions tied the game at 30-30, the Trojans found their way into Penn State territory with under two minutes remaining. But once there, they stalled out, crushed by a Miller Moss interception on third-and-6 from the PSU 45-yard line.

After going 7-3 in one-possession games during Lincoln Riley's first two seasons as coach, USC is just 1-3 in those games this season amid the adjustment to life in a rugged Big Ten.

October 12, 2024, 11:32 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 7:32 pm EDT
 
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PSU wins

Final/OT: No. 4 Penn State 33, USC 30

Ryan Barker hits a 36-yard field goal to give Penn State the road overtime win over USC. 

October 12, 2024, 11:17 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 7:17 pm EDT
 
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No Good

OT: USC 30, No. 4 Penn State 30

Michael Lantz misses a 45-yard field goal attempt after USC's offense manages negative-three yards on three plays in overtime. Trojans in trouble here with Penn State getting its OT try. 

October 12, 2024, 11:15 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 7:15 pm EDT
 
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Overtime

End of 4Q: USC 30, No. 4 Penn State 30

Drew Allar throws his third interception of the game to end regulation and send the game into overtime. It was a significant long shot, at best, on the last-second throw but wasn't close in getting a score from 43-yards out. Most stunning about Allar's three-interception performance against USC? He had only thrown three in his first 28 games combined. 

October 12, 2024, 11:08 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 7:08 pm EDT
 
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Interception

Late 4Q: USC 30, No. 4 PSU 30

Miller Moss throws an interception to give Penn State the ball on the 49-yard line with five seconds to go in the game. USC wasn't trying to push with clock running out which may work out in its favor with Penn State now in striking distance for a last-second attempt to win the game. 

October 12, 2024, 11:04 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 7:04 pm EDT
 
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Tied Up

Late 4Q: USC 30, No. 4 Penn State 30

Penn State QB Drew Allar found a WIDE open Nicholas Singleton to tie the game up. The Coliseum had come alive but Allar quiets the USC faithful on a up-and-down drive that included a successful 4th-and-10 conversion. 

October 12, 2024, 10:54 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 6:54 pm EDT
 
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USC answers

MID 4Q: USC 30, No. 4 Penn State 23

USC just put together its best (complete) offensive drive of the game. Moss connected with Hudson for a 5-yard touchdown to cap a 9-play, 75-yard drive with 5:56 left. Moss had a 25-yard completion to Robinson on third-and-6 to extend the drive. Big drive coming up for USC's defense.

 
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Tyler Warren Show rolls on

4Q: USC 23, No. 4 Penn State 23

Tyler Warren is approaching history if he can get two more catches against USC. Warren is already up to 16 catches for 221 yards in a brilliant showing. If he can get one more catch, he'll tie an FBS record for most catches in a single game (17) by a tight end. With two, he'll be the new record-holder. With the way he's dominated Saturday, it's a good bet he'll see some more targets his way before it ends. 

October 12, 2024, 10:33 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 6:33 pm EDT
 
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USC settles for three

Late 3Q: USC 23, No. 4 Penn State 20

After USC's defense forced its second turnover of the game, the offense put points on the board. Michael Lantz drilled a 39-yard field goal attempt with 28 seconds remaining in the third quarter to give the Trojans the lead again. Allar came into this game having thrown only three career interceptions. This marks his first multi-interception game as Penn State's signal caller.

 
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Allar throws another INT

Late 3Q: USC 20, No. 4 Penn State 20

Drew Allar threw his second interception of the game on a pass that was tipped before linebacker Easton Mascarenas-Arnold caught it. The INT sets USC up in great field position at Penn State's 24-yard line after the Trojans' offense went cold in the second half. 

October 12, 2024, 10:13 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 6:13 pm EDT
 
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USC punts, again 

Late 3Q: USC 20, No. 4 Penn State 20

USC ran six plays on its most recent drive. All six were pass attempts. The Trojans ran the football well during the first 30 minutes of play but have only run the ball three times this quarter. Penn State has made adjustments, but Riley can't abandon the run game completely if USC wants to control the clock and win this game.

 
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Tyler Warren is cooking USC's defense

Late 3Q: USC 20, No. 4 Penn State 20

USC has zero answer for trying to defend Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. A series after Warren scored on a trick play, the 6-foot-6, 261-pound tight end had a 34-yard catch to get Penn State back in the redzone. Three plays later, running back Kaytron Allen scored from 1-yard out to tie the game. Penn State's offense is finally capitalizing on its opportunities and giving USC's defense fits here early in the second half. Warren is a big part of it with 12 catches for 174 yards and a touchdown. 

October 12, 2024, 10:01 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 6:01 pm EDT
 
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USC punts on first drive of second half

Early 3Q: USC 20, No. 4 Penn State 13

Moss connected with Duce Robinson for a 42-yard gain on third-and-11, but the explosive play was nullified because of an (obvious) hold by Marks. Marks gained 13 yards on third-and-26, and USC will punt.

 
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PSU breaks out a trick for TD

3Q: USC 20, No. 4 Penn State 13

Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki went into his bag of tricks to finally get the Nittany Lions in the end zone. With an offensive line stacked to the right, Tyler Warren snapped the ball to Beau Pribula who threw the ball across the field to Drew Allar who then hit Warren with the 32-yard touchdown pass. Even writing it is a bit exhausting and confusing so you probably need to watch it for yourself below. Penn State needed a jolt after getting stymied in the redzone twice in the first half, and it was a trick play that delivered. 

October 12, 2024, 9:44 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 5:44 pm EDT
 
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Penn State on upset alert vs. USC

HALF: USC 20, No. 4 Penn State 6

USC leads No. 4 Penn State 20-6 at halftime in what has been a dominant effort by the home team during the opening 30 minutes of play. The Trojans have used explosive plays from running backs Quinten Joyner and Woody Marks to build a double-digit lead at the intermission.

After USC allowed Penn State to convert a field goal on its opening series, coach Lincoln Riley dialed up a fake reverse that Joyner took 75 yards down the sideline for a touchdown. Joyner also caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Miller Moss to extend the lead. The Trojans outgained Penn State 248-203, racking up 147 of those yards on the ground. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar completed 12 of 18 attempts, and 98 of his 124 passing yards went to star tight end Tyler Warren.

 
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PSU can't break through

Late 2Q: USC 17, No. 4 Penn State 6

Penn State continues to have offensive success, but just can't find a way to finish with a touchdown. Penn State again has to settle for a field goal after its drive slows down once it gets into the redzone. Tyler Warren is off to a great day -- he already has 9 catches for 98 yards -- but USC's defense has come up big on multiple third down plays now. It looked like Drew Allar may have had a shot to run for a first down, but instead tried to force a pass to Warren that went incomplete. Penn State is hanging around, but it will be hard to keep up only scoring on field goals. 

October 12, 2024, 9:01 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 5:01 pm EDT
 
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USC punts

LATE 2Q: USC 17, No. 4 Penn State 3

After scoring points on three consecutive drives, USC will be forced to punt. Penn State's last three series: Punt, interception and another punt. The Trojans have been terrific on that end since allowing a field goal on Penn State's opening drive.

 
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USC is rolling

2Q: USC 17, No. 4 Penn State 3

USC capitalizes off a Drew Allar interception to extend its lead following a Michael Lantz 45-yard field goal. The Trojans defense has really settled in nicely after that successful first Penn State drive. Desman Stephens made it happen returning the Allar pick 42-yards to put USC in scoring position. The offense couldn't do much from there but having a two-score lead early in the second quarter is a great spot for the Trojans to be in. 

October 12, 2024, 8:44 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 4:44 pm EDT
 
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PSU defense has problems

The inverse to Cameron's point is Penn State is not defending the run game well. Lincoln Riley is getting whatever he wants on the ground against the Nittany Lions. Giving up 140 rushing yards barely into the second quarter is...not great. Going to be a long day for James Franklin and Co. if the defense can't get it figured out and the offense keeps getting stuck in the mud when it matter most after starting hot. 

October 12, 2024, 8:33 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 4:33 pm EDT
 
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USC is running the ball well

Early 2Q: USC 14, No. 4 Penn State 3

USC's offense is clicking. A 28-yard run by Woody Marks set up first-and-goal for the Trojans, and on the ensuing play, Moss connected with Joyner for a 9-yard touchdown. Joyner scored a 75-yard touchdown on his first (and only rush attempt) of the game. USC has 140 yards rushing through the first 17 minutes of game action.

 
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USC leads after first quarter

END 1Q: USC 7, No. 4 Penn State 3

We have reached the end of the first quarter in Los Angeles. The Trojans' touchdown came on a 75-yard run by Joyner immediately after Penn State got on the board with a short field goal. USC outgained Penn State 121-111 during the first quarter. The key for Penn State will be controlling the clock, tiring out the USC defense with long drives and keeping Moss and company off the field.

 
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PSU stopped at midfield

1Q: USC 7, No. 4 Penn State 3

Interesting gamesmanship between Lincoln Riley and James Franklin. Penn State lined up to punt on 4th-and-3 but USC called a timeout, perhaps sensing a fake coming up. Penn State then lined up to go for it only to get a false start penalty and have to punt after all that. Drew Allar started the game 7 for 7, four of those going to Tyler Warren for 46 yards before finally throwing his first incompletion on a big 3rd down call at the 49-yard line. Penn State is moving the ball well overall, but USC's defense is doing a good job finding ways to keep PSU from fully capitalizing on opportunities. 

October 12, 2024, 8:20 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 4:20 pm EDT
 
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Lincoln Riley gets in his bag

LATE 1Q: USC 7, No. 4 Penn State 3

After Penn State went on a long drive on its opening series, USC responded with a home run play. Riley dialed up a fake reverse and Quinten Joyner did the rest for a 75-yard touchdown run. Big response for the Trojans after Penn State went on a 14-play, 72-yard drive moments prior.

 
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PSU strikes first

1Q: Penn State 3, USC 0

The Nittany Lions get on the board first on a Ryan Barker 34-yard field goal. It was an efficient first offensive drive down the field for Penn State, but it could not capitalize on a 1st-and-goal that started at the 4-yard line. Penn State had a touchdown on 4th down called back on an offensive pass interference call. 

October 12, 2024, 8:04 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 4:04 pm EDT
 
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USC's defense bends, but doesn't break

Penn State just went on a fantastic opening drive, but it resulted in only a field goal attempt. Allar connected with star TE Tyler Warren for a 2-yard touchdown, but it was nullified because of offensive pass interference. USC's defense came into the weekend allowing only 157.6 passing yards per game, which ranked 13th-best in the FBS. Allar was 6 of 6 for 62 yards on the opening series. USC DC D'Anton Lynn has been great at second half adjustments and he will have to make some here.

 
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USC punts

EARLY 1Q: No. 4 Penn State 0, USC 0

On third-and-8, Miller Moss looked for Kyron Hudson over the middle, but the pass fell incomplete. The Trojans racked up one first down on the drive on a 14-yard pitch-and-catch from Moss to Hudson. Let's see what the defense can do on the first drive against a stout Penn State offense.

 
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We are underway from Los Angeles 

USC wins the coin toss and elected to receive. The Trojans will get the ball first. Perfect day for football in Southern California.

 
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Penn State has a golden opportunity on Saturday 

Penn State hit a clear ceiling under coach James Franklin over the past couple of years. Always good -- really good, even -- but never good enough to step out of the gargantuan shadows cast by a pair of Big Ten giants in Ohio State and Michigan. Through the 10-win seasons and the trips to New Year's Six bowls, fans started to get a little restless. 

But a lifeline arrived with the Big Ten's elimination of divisions, coupled with the 12-team College Football Playoff format. Now, despite still flying under the radar in both conference and national conversations, the No. 4 Nittany Lions have a real chance to break through Saturday when they travel to USC on the same day that No. 2 Ohio State heads to No. 3 Oregon in a game stealing all of the headlines.

Battling distance and expectations, Penn State can emerge from USC game as Ohio State's true Big Ten threat
Will Backus
Battling distance and expectations, Penn State can emerge from USC game as Ohio State's true Big Ten threat
October 12, 2024, 7:15 PM
Oct. 12, 2024, 3:15 pm EDT
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