UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – A strong defensive effort and running game led No. 10 Penn State to a 27-6 win over Rutgers on Senior Day Saturday in Beaver Stadium.(Photo of Journey Brown. Photo by Paul Burdick. Check out more of Burdick’s work here)
Penn State concluded the regular season with a 10-2 (7-2 Big Ten) record, securing an undefeated home slate, and also earning its third 10-win season in four years for the first time since 1993-96. The Nittany Lions also reached the 10-win mark for the 10th time since joining the Big Ten in 1993.
Penn State’s offense was led by its ground game, as quarterback Will Levis (Madison, Conn.) rushed for 108 yards in his first career start, totaling the most rushing yards by a quarterback since Trace McSorley had 175 against Ohio State last season (Sept. 29), and running back Journey Brown (Meadville, Pa.) added 103 yards and three touchdowns. It was the first time since 2005 (RB Tony Hunt, 151; QB Michael Robinson, 125) that Penn State had a quarterback and running back rush for 100 yards in the same game. Levis also threw for 81 yards and one touchdown.
On defense, Penn State limited Rutgers to just two field goals. Micah Parsons (Harrisburg, Pa.) led the unit with 10 tackles and one sack, while seniors Garrett Taylor (Richmond, Va.), Cam Brown (Burtonsville, Md.) and Robert Windsor (Fond Du Lac, Wisc.) had big Beaver Stadium finales. Taylor had seven tackles, a forced fumble and assisted on a tackle for loss, Brown had seven tackles and a sack and Windsor had five tackles and assisted on a tackle for loss.
Rutgers (2-10, 0-9 Big Ten) was led by running back Isaih Pacheco with 102 yards on 18 carries.
How It Happened
Rutgers scored first with a field goal, but Penn State answered on its next offensive drive with a 2-yard Journey Brown touchdown run just before the quarter ended.
Penn State then pulled away in the second half. It forced a Rutgers three-and-out to open the third quarter, and then Levis ran for 49 yards on Penn State’s first offensive play to key a touchdown drive, moving the Nittany Lions to the Rutgers 25. Brown followed with a 7-yard rush and then into the end zone on an 18-yard rush for a 13-3 lead, as the extra point was blocked.
Rutgers pulled within a touchdown with a 38-yard field goal at the start of the fourth quarter, but Levis answered with a 44-yard touchdown throw to Jahan Dotson (Nazareth, Pa.). Brown then scored his third touchdown of the day with 5:13 remaining on a 1-yard rush to seal the final score, 27-6.
Up Next
Penn State will learn its bowl destination on Selection Sunday, Dec. 8.
