Penn State’s 55-13 win over Buffalo at Beaver Stadium had plenty of big numbers, but the game really tilted on one punch-the-ball-free moment.
With the Nittany Lions already up 10-0, Caleb Bacon stripped Buffalo quarterback Jason Wright, Ikenna Ezeogu jumped on the loose ball at the 20, and Penn State turned that short field into a 17-0 lead three plays later. From there, the Lions kept stretching the margin and never looked back.
Koby Howard was the top offensive spark, catching three passes for 115 yards and turning one of them into a 70-yard touchdown. He also scored on a 20-yard reverse, a call that worked perfectly and helped Penn State build a 27-3 cushion with 10:47 left in the half. Howard also hauled in a 31-yard catch over the middle in the first quarter.
The Penn State defense had its own standout in safety Marcus Neal, who forced two fumbles and recovered one while adding two tackles. The Lions also held Buffalo to 1-for-15 on third downs, a big reason the Bulls never found any rhythm. Yvan Kemajou chipped in with a tackle for loss and two quarterback hurries.
The stat sheet told the bigger story too: Penn State piled up 573 yards to Buffalo’s 173. Yet the Bulls ran only four fewer plays, 67-63, which makes the Lions’ efficiency look even sharper.
There were other flashes along the way. Quinton Martin ripped off a 61-yard run on his first carry, and Ryan Barker got Penn State on the board with a 48-yard field goal after missing his first attempt last week from 33. On the other side of the ball, Buffalo safety Ronnell Davis delivered the hardest hit of the day when he stopped James Peoples after a 6-yard gain.
Penn State’s receivers had a rougher afternoon in spots, with Martin, Gabe Burkle, Ben Brahmer and Peyton Falzone each dropping passes. Becht also bobbled a snap, and Peoples had a second-quarter fumble that was reviewed and ruled down by his knee, though the fumble still counted.
The offensive line and perimeter blocking helped set up some of the biggest gains, including redshirt freshman tackle Malachi Goodman sealing the edge for Carson Hansen’s 12-yard touchdown run and a 41-6 lead in the third quarter. Rocco Becht also flashed on a 13-yard completion across the field to a diving Zay Robinson, though the play was wiped out by a holding penalty.
Special teams gave Penn State another edge, especially Robinson. He returned eight punts for 109 yards, including a 38-yarder on his first try, and added a 17-yard kickoff return. Buffalo punted too often near him, and that usually ended poorly for the Bulls.
The game also carried a halftime nod to Penn State history, as the 1986 national championship team was introduced. Shane Conlan, John Shaffer and D.J. Dozier drew the loudest cheers.
There was one late frustration for Matt Campbell, who was upset with an unsportsmanlike penalty on John Klosterman. But by then, the day had long since belonged to Penn State.
In Other News...
Penn State Staffer Faces Serious Off-Field Legal Trouble
A Penn State assistant coach is now dealing with an off-field situation that is drawing attention in State College and around the program. Jordan Lucas, the Nittany Lions assistant cornerbacks coach, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of DUI and three summary traffic violations after police found him asleep in a vehicle downtown with a blood alcohol level nearly three times the legal limit.
The stop came after officers found the vehicle illegally positioned in a crosswalk, with Lucas also listed as having a suspended drivers license and an expired vehicle registration. Penn State acknowledged the charges and said Lucas remains with the program while the legal matter moves forward, leaving the university to manage both the public fallout and the uncertainty around what comes next. [Read more 🡒]
Penn States Offensive Line Just Got Thinner At The Worst Time
Penn States offensive line depth took another hit at an unwelcome time, with Will Tompkins ruled out for the season because of injury, according to coach Matt Campbell. Tompkins had played 31 snaps across the first three games after transferring in from Iowa State, giving the Nittany Lions another experienced body in a position group that can never have enough of them.
The setback leaves Penn State without a player it had hoped could help stabilize things as the year unfolded, and it also delays any chance to see how he might have fit into the rotation over a full season. There is still some long-term silver lining: Tompkins is expected to keep four years of eligibility after this season, so his Penn State story is far from over even if this one now pauses before it really got going. [Read more 🡒]
Penn States RB Battle Just Got Tougher To Ignore Entering Big Ten Play
Penn State spent the nonconference slate getting a closer look at four running backs, and the rotation did not make the answer any simpler. Carson Hansen, James Peoples, Quinton Martin Jr. and Cam Wallace all got chances to show what they can do, but the way those carries were distributed also made it clear this job is still open as Big Ten play arrives.
Martin stood out most against Buffalo, where his versatility in the passing game added another layer to his case, while Peoples continued to show growth and a knack for finding the end zone. Those two now look like the clearest candidates to head the depth chart, even if the staff has not committed to one lead option yet, and the coming conference games should tell whether Penn State leans toward the more dynamic all-purpose threat or the back who has been quickest to turn touches into points. [Read more 🡒]