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"Defensively, we're disruptive right now," Franklin said. "We're showing in flashes that we [can be] really disruptive. We can be more consistent, but on those big plays – the sideline ignited when he made that play." Boosted by Johnson's defensive score, the Nittany Lions' point total was the second-highest of the Franklin era, trail- ing only a 48-7 victory over Massachu- setts last September. But the game was by no means an unqualified success, as the offense struggled at times with Akeel Lynch and Saquon Barkley out of action. Both running backs were injured in the first half. Barkley, who had rushed for 62 yards on eight carries to that point in the game, suffered an ankle injury while being tackled on the sideline. Lynch went down shortly aAerward with what appeared to be a knee injury. Barkley was still in uniform in the second half but didn't return to action; Lynch came back from the locker room dressed in street clothes. Franklin said aAer the game it was too early to determine the extent of either injury. "There are tests that need to be done," he said. "Some of the tests we do between now and [Sunday morn- ing] will tell us." With Lynch and Barkley out of action, Penn State's offense lost much of its play- making ability, generating only 103 yards in the second half aAer totaling 297 in the first. However, Christian Hackenberg de- livered his best performance of the young season, hitting 21 of 35 attempts for 296 yards and three touchdowns. "I thought he played well," Franklin said. "There are obviously some things that he can do better and we can do better, no doubt about it. But I thought he did some really, really good things tonight." In addition, the defense was punishing, especially the line. Penn State applied heavy pressure to Smith, sacking him five times and allowing him to complete only 10 of 29 pass attempts for 141 yards. It was an emotional game for Penn State, especially for senior tackle Anthony Zettel, whose father, Terry, died on Friday aAer an 18-month battle with cancer. "It's been tough, it's been pretty in- tense for him and his family the last three weeks," Franklin said. "I thought Anthony and his family han- dled this unbelievably well, as challeng- ing as it is. We're always going to make that our priority – our priority is family." Added Johnson, "Everybody was play- ing for his dad. [Anthony] is our brother, so we're going to play for him." The Lions' first score, aAer a penalty- ridden drive leA them with first-and- goal at the Aztecs' 22, came on a short toss by Hackenberg that Barkley took to the end zone, staying on his feet even though three would-be tacklers were able to get good shots at him. But the Nittany Lions gave up that lead on a 100-yard kickoff return by Rashaad Penny, and Penny had another key play in the second quarter, gaining 55 yards down the leA sideline to set up a 19-yard- touchdown catch by Mikah Holder and a 14-13 lead, the Aztecs' first of the game. But it didn't take long for San Diego State's momentum to dissipate. First, Lloyd Mills misplayed a punt, and Chris Godwin scooped up the loose ball, giving Penn State possession at the Aztecs' 27. Four plays later, Mark Allen lunged across the goal line for a 13–yard touch- down on a swing pass. Then, with about a minute leA in the half, Donnel Pumphrey fumbled while fighting for extra yardage, setting up an 11-yard touchdown catch by Godwin. Penn State went to the locker room with a 27-14 lead, having held the ball for nearly 22 minutes and having built a 297- 81 edge in total yardage. For a while, that lead seemed to be in jeopardy in the second half. DeAndre Thompkins fumbled a punt early in the third quarter, setting up Pumphrey's 1- yard TD run. And the Aztecs were driving again later in the game, but Johnson's score, coupled with Joey Julius's third field goal of the aAernoon, put an end to the upset bid. Next up for Penn State is Army. The Black Knights lost their first three games, including a season-opening 37-35 stun- ner to Fordham. An option-oriented team that was ranked 124th out of 127 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision in passing heading into Saturday's game at Eastern Michigan, Army wouldn't seem to match up well with a Penn State squad that, with the exception of a few big plays on Saturday, has clamped down hard on opposing runners. But the Nittany Lions can't afford to take anything for granted, especially if the answers they get on Sunday morning aren't the ones they're hoping for. SCORING SUMMARY 1ST 4:20 PSU Barkley, S. 22-yard pass from Hackenberg, C. (Julius, J. kick) 7 plays, 66 yards, TOP 3:42.........................................................0-7 4:08 SDSU Penny, R. 100-yard kickoff return (Hageman, D. kick).......... 7-7 0:43 PSU Julius, Joey 40-yard field goal 7 plays, 53 yards, TOP 3:18.........................................................7-10 2ND 11:59 PSU Julius, Joey 24-yard field goal 7 plays, 72 yards, TOP 2:49.........................................................7-13 10:23 SDSU Holder, Mikah 19-yard pass from Smith, M. (Hageman, D. kick) 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 1:36....................................................... 14-13 1:03 PSU Allen, Mark 13-yard pass from Hackenberg, C. (Julius, J. kick) 4 plays, 27 yards, TOP 1:30......................................................14-20 0:17 PSU Godwin, C. 11-yard pass from Hackenberg, C. (Julius, J. kick) 6 plays, 23 yards, TOP 0:38.....................................................14-27 3RD 8:11 SDSU Pumphrey, D. 1-yard run (Hageman, Donny kick) 6 plays, 21 yards, TOP 3:12....................................................... 21-27 4TH 13:44 PSU Johnson, A. 71-yard fumble recovery (Julius, J. kick).........21-34 9:52 PSU Julius, Joey 26 yd field goal 8 plays, 52 yards, TOP 2:51...................................................... 21-37 S E P T E M B E R 2 6 , 2 0 1 5 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M 2

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