Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/871907
PLAYER OF THE GAMEMarcus Allen was all over the field on Saturday, but his most impressive and important feat came when he speared Pitt's Darrin Hall in his own end zone for a safety. It was one of a team-high 12 tackles for Allen on the day, including nine solo stops. Allen also added a key third-down pass breakup with the Panthers deep in Penn State territory. PLAY OF THE GAME After the Panthers barely avoided a three-and-out on the game's first drive, Penn State corner- back Grant Haley tracked down a floater out of the hand of Pitt quarter- back Max Browne. Haley weaved through several would-be tacklers and returned the interception 42 yards to the Pitt 8-yard line. The Nittany Lions scored on the very next play and led the rest of the way. BEST PASSAppearing juiced up for much of the first half, Trace McSorley escaped from his temporary funk with a touchdown pass early in the third quar- ter. Saquon Barkley executed a picture perfect double move over the middle of the field, and McSorley hit him in stride. From there, Barkley was off to the races, going 46 yards. WORST PASSWith Mike Gesicki open on the left sideline and only one Pan- thers player between him and the end zone, McSorley sent a pass over the tight end's head on second down. One play later, McSorley missed an open Juwan Johnson on a crossing pattern, and the Nittany Lions were forced to punt, losing the momentum they had built from a strong start to the first quarter. BEST RUNWhen two poor passes from McSorley ended an early Penn State drive, he took it upon himself to extend the next one with his feet. McSorley broke into the open field on a designed run on third down, scampering 36 yards downfield before he was finally cor- ralled, marking the longest run of his career. BEST CATCH On a key third-and-long midway through the fourth quarter, DaeSean Hamilton took it upon himself to keep his offense on the field. Hamil- ton made an extraordinary one-handed snag of a McSorley pass, juggling the ball momentarily before securing it as JUDGMENT CALLS S E P T E M B E R 9 , 2 0 1 7 B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . c O M 4 D A V I D E C K E R T | B L U E W H I T E c O N T R I B U T O R The best and the rest from Penn State's win over the Panthers