Defense Leads Nittany Lions Over Rutgers, 23-7

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Penn State added to its football history on Saturday as it earned the program’s 900th win. The Nittany Lions’ used a strong defensive effort to pick up a 23-7 win over Rutgers at SHI Stadium.

Penn State (2-5, 2-5 Big Ten) became the nation’s eighth program to reach 900 wins, joining Michigan (964), Ohio State (928), Alabama (924), Texas (921), Notre Dame (917), Oklahoma (914) and Nebraska (903). Penn State owns the 10th-best winning percentage in the FBS (.687, 900-398-42).

The Nittany Lion offense gained 248 yards on the ground, its third time running for over 245 yards in the last four games (245 at Nebraska, 254 at Michigan). Keyvone Lee led Penn State with 95 yards on 17 carries, while Devyn Ford rushed for 65 yards and a touchdown. Sean Clifford completed 15-of-22 passes for 133 yards, including a 29-yard touchdown pass to Parker Washington. Will Levis added 65 yards on 17 carries. Jake Pinegar hit both of his field goal attempts, while Jordan Stout converted a 47-yard kick.

Penn State held Rutgers to 205 total yards, including just 83 rushing. Jesse Luketa led the unit with 10 tackles, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. Ellis Brooks and Joey Porter Jr. each recorded seven tackles with Porter adding a tackle for loss. Brooks forced a fumble in the third quarter.

Rutgers (2-5, 2-5 Big Ten) quarterback Noah Vedral completed 17-of-30 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown. He added 56 rushing yards to lead the team. Bo Melton caught seven passes for 38 yards and a score. Linebacker Olakunle Fatukasi collected 18 tackles, including one for loss, while Naijee Jones recorded 12 stops. Christian Izien contributed 11 tackles and an interception.

The Nittany Lions held Rutgers to just 43 yards in the first half, including just 12 yards on the ground. Rutgers’ first six drives resulted in four three-and-outs and two turnovers. Penn State held Rutgers to zero or negative yards on 13 plays in the half.

After stopping a Rutgers run on fourth down, the Nittany Lions found the end zone on a 29-yard strike from Clifford to Washington. After starting the drive on the Rutgers 45 yard-line, Penn State got on the board as Washington caught a slant pass over the middle and went untouched into the end zone.

The Nittany Lions added a field goal on their next drive. An 11-play, 74-yard drive was capped by a 30-yard boot from Pinegar. All 74 yards coming through runs, including five rushes for 10 or more yards.

Penn State expanded its lead to 17-0 on a 7-yard touchdown run by Ford. After another stop on a Rutgers fourth down attempt, a 21-yard run by Lee placed Penn State just outside the red zone. A connection from Clifford to Isaac Lutz set up the Nittany Lions inside the Rutgers 5 yard-line. Two plays later, Ford found open space around the right side of the line.

Stout converted a 47-yard field goal early in the third quarter. The Nittany Lions took advantage of another short field after a fumble was forced by Brooks and recovered by Luketa at the Rutgers 39 yard-line.

Rutgers cut the Nittany Lion lead to 20-7 midway through the third quarter. After an interception by Izien, the Scarlet Knights scored on a 3-yard pass from Vedral to Melton on fourth-and-goal.

Penn State extended its lead to 23-7 in the fourth quarter. After a punt pinned the Nittany Lions at their own 2 yard-line, Lee broke a 31-yard run and a penalty moved the ball to the 50 yard-line. A 14-yard run by Lee and a 12-yard carry by Levis got the blue and white into the red zone. The drive finished with a 27-yard field goal by Pinegar.

Penn State returns to Beaver Stadium to take on Michigan State next Saturday. The Nittany Lions will honor their seniors on Senior Day. MSU (2-4) fell to Ohio State on Saturday by a 52-12 score. Game time and television coverage will be announced Sunday.