Instant recap of Penn State football’s Big Ten survival in Minnesota

Penn State football showed once again why it makes the case to be Tight End U.

Until the last drive of Saturday’s critical game in Minnesota.

Until the final play of that nerve-wracking 26-25 victory at Huntington Bank Stadium – when so much had gone wrong for the Nittany Lions (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten).

It was star tight end Tyler Warren who showed up with another dominant receiving effort with eight catches for 91 yards. It was backup Khalil Dinkins with another day of impressive blocking at the rim.

And it was third-stringer Luke Reynolds who made perhaps the biggest play of the day. The former 5-star recruit was the one who took the top of a fake punt and rumbled 32 yards down the left side for the critical first down, with his team desperately trying to run out the clock on that final drive, leading by just an indication.

The end game of the game?

Another fourth down-and-1 conversion. Drew Allar rolled right and threw left toward Warren.

All of this overcame some devastating special teams miscues early and a mostly stagnant running game until Nick Singleton found another gear late.

Penn State now remains looking for an outside shot in the Big Ten championship game with only its Senior Day game against Maryland remaining.

The win also keeps it in contention for a College Football Playoff bid, especially hosting a first-round game at Beaver Stadium the weekend before Christmas.

Penn State vs. Minnesota Football Score Updates

Penn State ran out the clock against the Golden Gophers by converting three fourth-down plays, including a fake punt to its third-string tight end.

Leave it to star Tyler Warren to make the final play of the game, catching a pass on that final play of fourth down to secure the win for Minneapolis.

Drew Allar completed 21 of 28 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown with many gutsy runs.

The Gophers move the ball well again with Max Brosmer making big throws on the 11-play drive.

But, once again, the Lions defense came close.

They turn a first and goal from 7 into a short field goal try.

Dragan Kesich made it from 26 yards out to bring the Gophers within one point.

The Lions get their second turnover of the day and, once again, turn it into points.

Penn State can’t get into the end zone when Drew Allar opts for Tyler Warren instead of Khalil Dinkins getting open in the end zone.

The Lions further extend their lead.

Tyler Warren (three straight catches) got the Lions going on their second drive of the second half.

Nick Singleton finished it.

The junior tailback ran 15 yards down the right sideline to get PSU into the red zone. He came right back and sliced through the Minnesota defense up the middle for a 12-yard touchdown.

The Lions take their first lead of the game.

The Gophers moved the ball well out of the half, until they got to the edge of the red zone.

Penn State’s defense got even stronger. Zane Durant made the key stop behind the scrimmage on third down to force the field goal.

Dragan Kesich scored his second of the day, this one from 42 yards to extend the lead.

Durant, meanwhile, might be PSU’s best defender today. He already has 2.5 tackles for loss.

Penn State’s special teams are costing them in ways they haven’t seen before this season.

First, the first block on punter Riley Thompson this season set up the go-ahead touchdown.

Then, just after the Lions appeared to tie the game in the final seconds of the second quarter, the Gophers struck again. This time, the Gophers gave up at the line on the extra point.

Jack Henderson blocked Ryan Barker’s extra point and teammate Ethan Robinson scooped up the ball and sprinted down the field for the two-point conversion.

What a response for the Penn State offense.

It took just 44 seconds to lead the field to the tying touchdown just before halftime. Drew Allar was precise and patient in taking what the Gophers defense gave him. His best throw was a seam pass to Tyler Warren that put the Lions in the red zone.

They were also helped by some fortunate pass interference moments earlier when a pass to Tre Wallace appeared out of bounds and unreachable. But the flag still flew and the Lions got 15 yards.

Allar bulldozed from 4 meters to almost equalize…

The Gophers had a great last chance in the first half thanks to Riley Thompson’s blocked punt in the end zone.

They got the ball back on the 21-yard line.

And they immediately took advantage of it: a double reverse flea flicker. Max Brosmer throws for the wide open touchdown and the header.

Dom DeLuca got the ball back quickly for Penn State with an interception and a 29-yard return.

Penn State’s offense couldn’t do anything from there, however, with a sack of Drew Allar and a failure on third down.

Ryan Barker saved the drive by making the 45-yard field goal to tie the game.

DeLuca’s INT was Max Brosmer’s first interception since September – after 207 consecutive passes.

Penn State’s offense finally got going with a 19-yard TD pass to Tyler Warren.

But after a few runs from Nick Singleton, the Lions really hit it big. Drew Allar found forgotten wideout Omari Evans sprinting through the Minnesota secondary.

What happened to the Golden Gophers secondary?

Max Brosmer completed a key 23-yard pass on third down to put Minnesota within field goal range. The Lions defense stiffened from there to force the long field goal attempt.

Kicker Dragan Kesich made the 48-yard shot, sliding it just inside the left upright.

Penn State was outscored 99-35 in total yards after a little more than a quarter.

The Nittany Lions suffered a big loss just two plays into the game.

Starting right tackle Anthony Donkoh left the game and was transported to the locker room after appearing to injure his right knee while blocking a PSU pass play.

The Lions will go with junior transfer Nolan Rucci in his place.

The Golden Gophers’ offense, led by transfer quarterback Max Brosmer, looked sharp early on.

In fact, the Gophers probably ran the ball better than expected on their first drive — gaining 45 yards on five carries against Penn State’s top five rushing defenses.

Marcus Major ripped up the middle to end the nine-play streak, racing 20 yards into the end zone.

A really difficult start to the road for the Lions.

Penn State vs. Minnesota football time today

Date: Saturday November 23
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Huntington Bank Stadium (50,805)

What channel is Penn State vs. Minnesota football on today?

Penn State vs. Minnesota will be broadcast nationally on CBS. Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson will announce the match from the Huntington Bank Stadium booth, with Jenny Dell on the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include Paramount+ and FUBO, which offer free trials to new subscribers.

Penn State football vs. Minnesota

Series record: Penn State leads, 10-6
Penn State’s latest victory: 2022 (45-17)
Minnesota’s latest victory: 2019 (31-26)

Penn State vs. Minnesota Football Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, November 21

Spread: Penn State -11.5
More/less: 45.5
Money line: State of Pennsylvania -450 | Minnesota +340

Penn State Minnesota Football Weather Update

Cloudy but dry skies in Minneapolis, with temperatures hovering in the mid to 30s throughout the game. Light winds 5 to 10 mph.

Penn State Football Schedule 2024

August 31 at West Virginia, W, 34-12September 7 BOWLING GREEN, F, 34-27September 14 DisabledSeptember 21 KENT STATE, W, 56-0 September 28 ILLINOIS, W, 21-7October 5 UCLA, Women, 27-11October 12 at USC, W, 33-30 (OT)October 19 DISABLEDOctober 26 at Wisconsin, W, 28-13November 2 OHIO STATE, L, 13-20November 9 WASHINGTON, F, 35-6November 16 at Purdue, W, 49-10November 23 in MinnesotaNovember 30 MARYLANDDecember 7 Big Ten Championship (Indianapolis)

2024 Minnesota Football Schedule

August 29 NORTH CAROLINA, L, 17-19September 7 RHODE ISLAND, F, 48-0September 14 NEVADA, W, 27-0September 21 IOWA, L, 14-31September 28 at Michigan, L, 24-27October 5 USC, W, 24-17October 12 at UCLA, W, 21-17October 19 DISABLEDOctober 26 MARYLAND, F, 48-23November 2 at Illinois, W, 25-17November 9 at Rutgers, L, 19-26November 16 DISABLED November 23 PENN STATE, 3:30 p.m.November 30 in Wisconsin, noon

Pre-game

Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.

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