Nittany Lions Offense Overpowers Huskers, 56-44

UNIVERSITY PARK – For the second week in a row it took the Penn State offense a little while to get untracked but when the Nittany Lions finally did they produced five straight touchdown drives on the way to a 56-44 win over Nebraska.

The victory put PSU at 9-2 overall, 6-2 in the Big Ten going into a road finale at Maryland next Saturday. Nebraska fell to 4-7 on the season, 3-5 in the Big Ten.

Penn State scored early on a 65-yard touchdown run from Saquon Barkley in likely his final Beaver Stadium appearance. Nebraska answered with two scores for a 10-7 lead, then the Lion offense took over, building a 42-10 halftime lead and coasting home.

Barkley rushed for 158 yards on 17 carries and three scores while Trace McSorley passed for two touchdowns on a 24-of-36 day for 325 yards. In all Penn State piled up 609 yards. Nebraska quarterback Tanner Lee made the final score look respectable as the Cornhuskers rallied in the second half with 389 yards of offense, Lee passing for 399 yards overall, but it wasn’t enough. Nebraska scored the game’s final 21 points.

Barkley’s three touchdowns gave him 39 rushing scores, breaking the previous career mark of 38 set by Lydell Mitchell. Tight end Mike Gesicki had four receptions for 47 yards, giving him a career mark of 1,384 yards, the old mark held by Ted Kwalick.

No time has been announced thus far for next Saturday’s game at Maryland. The Terrapins are 4-7 overall, 2-6 in the Big Ten. Maryland has lost three games in a row, including a 17-7 contest at Michigan State Saturday.