The Penn State football team showcased its strength with a decisive 37-10 victory against Nebraska at Beaver Stadium on Saturday night. This performance allowed the Nittany Lions to further establish their dominance in the season.
In the quarterback position, Ethan Grunkemeyer excelled, completing 11 of 12 passes for 181 yards, including one touchdown, earning him an impressive grade of A. His continued improvement is a positive sign for the team going forward.
The running backs also made a significant impact, receiving an A grade as Kaytron Allen rushed for a personal best of 160 yards and scored two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Nick Singleton contributed with 95 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, marking a record night for the duo.
On the receiving end, the Nittany Lions maintained their high standard, with five receivers catching passes of at least 20 yards. Notably, tight end Andre Rappleyea recorded his first touchdown reception, further enhancing the team”s offensive capabilities.
The offensive line was instrumental in this victory, also receiving an A grade. The blocking surpassed their previous performance against Michigan State, allowing the team to accumulate 412 total yards and an average of nearly six yards per carry.
Defensively, the linemen earned a B grade, with Dani Dennis-Sutton, Zane Durant, and Yvan Kemajou combining for all three sacks. The defense effectively limited Nebraska to just 79 rushing yards after an early 52-yard gain.
The linebackers, graded at a B, were led by Dominic DeLuca, Amare Campbell, and Alex Tatsch, who collectively made 21 tackles. Campbell made a crucial fourth-down stop near the goal line, showcasing the defense”s resilience.
In the secondary, the defensive backs also received a B grade for their solid coverage, effectively containing Nebraska”s receivers until the Nittany Lions built a significant lead, limiting the Cornhuskers to an average of 5.3 yards per pass attempt.
On special teams, the performance was slightly less impressive, earning a C grade. Kicker Ryan Barker improved his field-goal accuracy to 13-for-14 but missed his first point-after-touchdown attempt. Additionally, kickoff coverage was not up to par.
The coaching staff received an A for their strategic execution. Over the past three games, Penn State has developed a clear identity, focusing on the ground game and applying consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The successful fake punt also highlighted their innovative play-calling.
As the season progresses, the Nittany Lions will look to build on this performance and continue their quest for success.
