Penn State’s special teams delivered both ends of the spectrum in the first half against Purdue at Beaver Stadium.
The opening sequence gave the Nittany Lions exactly the kind of jolt they needed. Facing a 4th and 3 at the Purdue 20 on their first possession, Penn State sent out the field goal unit, only to change things up with a fake.
Punter Nathan Tiyce, who also handles holding duties, flipped the ball to tight end Ben Brahmer, and Brahmer picked up the first down. Two plays later, Rocco Becht hit Andrew Rappleyea on a 4-yard touchdown pass to finish a 12-play, 96-yard drive that lasted 6:06.
That score put Penn State ahead 7-0, its first time jumping out to that lead since Sept. 26 against Wisconsin.
The momentum swing didn’t last. In the second quarter, Penn State lined up to punt and Purdue’s Bisi Owens got through for the block. Jalil Hall scooped it up and took it in for a touchdown, and the PAT tied the game.
Special teams has not been the main source of Penn State’s problems during its four-game losing streak, but it remains an area that could matter a lot if the team is going to claw its way back. Ryan Barker entered the game 11-for-13 on field goals and a perfect 21-for-21 on extra points. Tiyce, in his first season as punter, had 12 of his 31 punts downed inside the 20 and eight inside the 10.
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