MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – No. 8/9 Penn State (1-0, 0-0 Big Ten) defeated West Virginia (0-1, 0-0 Big 12) 34-12 in its 2024 season opener on Saturday afternoon at Milan Puskar Stadium.
Penn State’s outstanding second quarter gave it the separation it needed to control the rest of the game against the Mountaineers. The Nittany Lions outscored West Virginia 20-6 in the frame as quarterback Drew Allar’s three touchdown passes gave Penn State a double-digit lead it would not relinquish for the rest of the game.
Allar completed 11 of 17 passes for 216 yards and the three touchdowns in game one. Wide receiver Harrison Wallace III secured his first career 100-plus yard game thanks to a monster first half. The redshirt junior finished his career day with five grabs for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Wideout Omari Evans also had a big day, securing a career-long 55-yard reception late in the second quarter to set up Allar’s third, second quarter touchdown. Tight end Tyler Warren also got in on the action, snagging his 12th career receiving touchdown on a pass from Beau Pribula in the fourth quarter.
On the ground, Nicholas Singleton rushed for 114 yards on 13 carries, including two 40-yard runs, one of which he toted into the end zone for a score. Kaytron Allen ran for 20 yards and also made his presence felt in the passing game, hauling in a 20-yard touchdown toss from Allar in the second quarter. Allar also contributed to the rushing effort, running for 44 yards on six carries.
The Nittany Lion defense allowed just one touchdown and 12 points in an outstanding showing in Morgantown. The unit recorded three takeaways, forced two turnovers on downs, and recorded six tackles for loss in game one of the 2024 season. Kevin Winston Jr. posted a career-best 12 tackles and forced a fumble, while fellow safety Jaylen Reed made nine stops, and broke up two passes. Tony Rojas and Zane Durant each recorded 1.5 tackles for loss, Durant and Smith Vilbert each recorded a sack and Elliot Washington II brought in his first career interception as the defensive group stuffed the stat sheet in a stifling performance against West Virginia.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Nittany Lions began the 2024 season on defense, forcing a West Virginia punt on its opening possession. It was a defensive battle throughout the first quarter, as neither team was able to score. Penn State’s defense stood tall inside the red zone, forcing a West Virginia turnover on downs and giving its offense possession…
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