Nittany Lions Zip Zips, 52-Zip

UNIVERSITY PARK — Penn State’s high-powered offense picked up where it left off in a 12-3 season a year ago, having its way on a rainy Saturday afternoon and leaving Beaver Stadium with a 52-0 win over overmatched Akron.

The Nittany Lions piled up 569 yards of total offense, led by returning standouts Saquon Barkley, Trace McSorley and Mike Gesicki.

Barkley did not touch the ball on Penn State’s first nine plays but when he finally did he was all but unstoppable, rushing 14 times for 172 yards, catching three passes for 54 yards and scoring twice. McSorley finished with an 18-for-25 passing day, good for 280 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. The tight end Gesicki totaled six catches for 58 yards and two scores.

Penn State scored on five of its seven first half possessions, building a 35-0 lead over the Zips. Coach James Franklin was able to rotate in many of his roster in the second half. The defense tossed a shutout, forcing 11 Akron punts on the day.

The win sets up an early season rivalry matchup Saturday, Sept. 9 with Pitt. The Panthers opened their season with a 28-21 overtime win over Youngstown State, an NCAA Football Championship Subdivision school. The Panthers held a 21-0 lead at halftime. Pitt defeated PSU a year ago by a 42-39 score. Game time next Saturday is 3:30 p.m.