No. 14 Penn State rolled through another tune-up on Saturday, burying Buffalo 55-13 at Beaver Stadium and carrying a wave of momentum into Big Ten play.
The Nittany Lions have now stacked up 127 points across wins over Marshall, Temple and Buffalo, while allowing just 22 over the last three Saturdays. Wisconsin comes to Beaver Stadium next Saturday, but Penn State made sure to leave this one with a clean, convincing statement.
The offense delivered the kind of explosive afternoon that has been building. Penn State piled up 575 total yards, averaged 7.6 yards per rush and ripped off seven plays of 20 yards or more. The Lions also protected the football again, going through three games without a turnover, and they gave up only one sack.
Koby Howard was a big-play engine all by himself. The wide receiver scored on a 70-yard touchdown catch and added a 20-yard rushing score.
On the ground, all four of Penn State’s top backs made an impact, with Quinton Martin leading the group with 100 yards. Backup center Vaea Ikakoula also handled his role well in place of injured starter Brock Riker.
The one blemish was third down, where the Lions converted only two of 10 chances.
Penn State’s defense was just as suffocating. Buffalo managed only three yards per carry and totaled just 60 yards on 10 completions. Wide receiver Chance Morrow, the Bulls’ main threat, was held to 31 yards on two catches by a Penn State cornerback group that featured Audavion Collins and Daryus Dixson.
The Bulls never found a rhythm. Their offense went three-and-out on 12 possessions and finished 1 for 15 on third down.
Special teams kept the pressure on, too. Punt returner Zay Robinson was active with 109 yards on eight returns, while Ryan Barker knocked through field goals from 48 and 25 yards and went 6-for-6 on extra points. Buffalo’s only return came on a kickoff, and it went for 21 yards.
There were a few discipline issues - Penn State was flagged eight times for 97 yards - but they barely dented the bigger picture. The Lions were in control early in the second quarter and never looked threatened after that.
Offensively, the run game finally showed the kind of punch Taylor Mouser has been looking for after the first two weeks. Penn State averaged 7.4 yards per carry and scored five rushing touchdowns, a strong sign as the schedule tightens.
The defense and special teams, though, have been the backbone so far. Through three games, Penn State’s defense has allowed only two touchdowns, and the passing game keeps flashing big-play ability.
The pieces are stacking up nicely as Big Ten play arrives.
In Other News...
Penn State Suddenly Has A Tight End Concern Fans Know Too Well
Penn States depth at tight end is being tested again after Andrew Rappleyea left the Week 3 game against Buffalo in the first half with a right shoulder injury and did not return. It was an unwelcome development for a position group that has already spent plenty of time drawing attention for all the wrong reasons, even as the Nittany Lions continue to have bodies available behind him.
Gabe Burkle, Benjamin Brahmer and Finn Furmanek give Penn State options if Rappleyea needs time, but the bigger question is how long the staff has to manage another potential absence at a spot it was hoping to stabilize. Brock Riker also exited early and did not reenter, though it was not clear whether his departure was injury-related, adding one more layer of uncertainty to a game that turned into more than just a routine September tuneup. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Has A New Injury Worry Before Wisconsin
Penn State left its Week 3 win over Buffalo with a couple of familiar-looking worries after starting center Brock Riker and tight end Andrew Rappleyea went down in the first half. Head coach Matt Campbell said both players were "dinged up," but the early read was encouraging enough to suggest neither injury appears serious.
Still, the Nittany Lions have a short week to get their offense back in order before a Week 4 Big Ten test against Wisconsin. Riker is important to the middle of the line, and Rappleyea gives the offense another piece in the passing game, so Penn State will be watching both situations closely as it tries to avoid carrying more injury uncertainty into conference play. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Found A New Playmaker Fans Will Be Talking About
Penn State had plenty to like in its 55-13 win over Buffalo at Beaver Stadium, but the game also offered a glimpse of a player who may have quickly earned a bigger spotlight. Koby Howard was a constant presence whenever the Nittany Lions needed a spark, finding the end zone as both a runner and a receiver while giving the offense a burst of explosiveness in a nonconference tune-up that was comfortable for most of the afternoon.
Howards 20-yard rushing touchdown and 70-yard receiving touchdown were the kind of plays that tend to stick with fans long after a blowout is over, and he was hardly the only contributor in a balanced effort. Caleb Bacon and Yvan Kemajou helped set the tone defensively with tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, while Zay Robinson added useful field position work on punt returns, but Howard was the one who gave the night its most memorable new storyline. [Read more 🡒]