It’s the Tyler Warren Show

Penn State rolled to a 21-3 halftime lead over Purdue, sparked by quarterback Drew Allar’s 10-for-10 start, tight end Tyler Warren playing everywhere again and a defense that stopped Purdue in the red zone.

The Nittany Lions scored touchdowns on their first two possessions, including an effortless 93-yard drive in which Allar looked as sharp as he has this season. They set up the third score with another fun run by Warren, who had seven catches for 119 yards. A quick breakdown of Penn State’s first half.

The Nittany Lions are off to another fast start

Penn State scored touchdowns on its first two possessions Saturday, continuing a theme it began against Washington last week (four touchdowns in the first half). The Nittany Lions went on drives of 75 and 93 yards, converted their first four third-down attempts and mixed up offensive calls.

Allar, who completed 13 of 14 passes, didn’t have to make difficult throws. Warren thrives in man coverage and caught four passes on Penn State’s opening drive. He was no match for Purdue’s attempts to cover him with a safety. The Nittany Lions ended their first scoring drive with an easy pitch-and-catch from Allar to a wide open Kaytron Allen, who got that way because Purdue got its attention on Warren inside.

Allar also showed no lingering effects from the lower-body injury he suffered at Wisconsin in late October. The quarterback scrambled well, escaped the rush and gained 14 yards by breaking two tackles (one high, one low).

It’s Tyler Warren time

Penn State’s athletic communications department sent an email on Friday titled “TYLER WARREN: The Best Tight End in College Football.” The game plan sought to prove it. It didn’t begin with this play, but this was the highlight.

Penn State has worked Warren into a variety of sets where he can run or throw. But he hasn’t thrown (a lateral, to be fair) and caught a pass on the same play. Warren turned this into a 38-yard gain. Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton scored on a quick snap on the very next play.

Warren had six catches for 81 yards before Purdue quarterback Hudson Card had even completed his second pass. The tight end again moved across the formation, running routes out of motion and catching passes in a variety of situations. He went downfield, caught a short slant on third down and converted the back-shoulder touchdown catch in the second quarter. The toughest defense he faced was the turf, which he caught trying to get some yards after the catch. Warren also gained eight yards on a 4th-and-1 direct snap in the second half.

Penn State’s defense is getting a little sloppy late

Purdue was facing 3rd and 11 from its own 11-yard line when Card completed his first pass to a receiver, Jahmal Edrine, for 18 yards. That moved the Boilermakers into field-goal range when Card completed a 30-yarder to Erdine, who made a strong play to win a jump ball against Penn State cornerback Audavion Collins. Purdue couldn’t capitalize on the play, calling a simultaneous catch and missing a 49-yard field goal to end the half.

Oops for Purdue

The Boilermakers might want to rethink their endzone paint. Purdue put together a run-heavy drive in the second quarter and got into the red zone on a 29-yard completion from Card to tight end Max Clare. Card then had receiver De’Nylon Morrissette open in the back of the end zone, but too far back.

Morrissette thought he had an easy touchdown catch. But he was behind the white line and the pylon and the play was incomplete. Purdue settled for a field goal.

Remarkable

Defensive end Dani Dennis-Sutton, who was limited the last two games after being injured at Wisconsin, generated two sacks in the first half. Dennis-Sutton entered the game with two sacks on the season.

Purdue also has a pretty good tight end. Max Clare had five catches for 71 yards in the first half. He caught five of the Cards’ six completions in the first half.

Allar’s only non-finish in the first half was a pass.

Penn State outgained Purdue 178-16 in the first quarter.

Injury update

Penn State offensive guard JB Nelson went to the injury tent on Warren’s fourth down. He was in the game as an extra lineman.

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