Nittany Lions bounce back in White Out win

Center County, Pa. (WHP) — “Great crowd again,” boasted James Franklin to open his postgame press conference on Saturday. “The White Out is amazing.”

110,000+ fans roared as Penn State took the field and promptly welcomed the Washington Huskies to Beaver Stadium with a 35-6 thrashing. The Nittany Lions dominated the game in every facet, outgaining Washington 486-193 yards, including a 266-74 rushing yards advantage. The Nittany Lions converted on 10 of their third down opportunities and held their opponent to a 4-13 mark on third down.

“The game was won on third down,” Franklin said. “We were 77% on third down to their 30.”

Junior quarterback Drew Allar was efficient, going 20/28 for 220 yards and connecting with Julian Fleming for a touchdown to put Penn State up 28-0 at halftime. Superstar tight end Tyler Warren continued his record-breaking campaign, adding two rushing touchdowns to his team-high 8 catches. Warren also had 75 receiving yards, giving him 681 yards on the season. He passed Mike Gesicki for the most receiving yards in a single season by a Nittany Lion tight end on his final catch of the game.

“I don’t see how that guy doesn’t win the Mackey Award,” Franklin said. The John Mackey Award is given to the best tight end in college football each year.

The Huskies traveled over 2,000 miles to play their new conference opponent and couldn’t muster much offense until the third quarter. That quarter, they outgained Penn State by 16 yards and scored the quarter’s only three points on a 24-yard field goal by Grady Gross. Will Rogers was 10/13 passing but could only muster 59 yards through the air. He was replaced by true freshman Demond Williams Jr., who led the Huskies on their only two scores of the game.

But the real show was off the field as Penn State held their annual White Out game in their Week 11 win.

“There’s nothing like it,” said a Penn State Freshman. “I’m feeling amazing. First White Out game, I’m so excited,” said another.

This year was the 20th anniversary of the Happy Valley classic. Beaver Stadium has a capacity of 106,572, but this win was watched by 110,233 Nittany Lion students, fans, alumni and everyone in between. The win gives Penn State a 12-8 all-time record in the annual contest. They also extended their White Out winning streak to five games dating back to 2019 (the game was canceled in 2020).

“One of the best sporting events, not just football. One of the best sporting events out there,” Franklin said.