Penn State 38, Maryland 3: What we saw and wondered
Follow along as Centre Daily Times writers Josh Moyer and Johnny McGonigal critique the Penn State vs. Maryland game and Abby Drey provides behind-the-scenes and in-game photos. Stay with us all day and check back after the game for more from the players and coaches.
Penn State rolls convincingly to a 38-3 win over Maryland. Check back for reactions from players and coaches.
After several PSU seniors walked a lap in Beaver Stadium quarterback @McSorley_IX stopped in the end zone, "when I took a knee, was more just being thankful to God for all the opportunities he's given me." #PSUSeniorDay pic.twitter.com/k7yj78CG67
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) November 25, 2018
"The clock's ticking, and we've only got so much time left with them"
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 25, 2018
James Franklin talking about his senior class
104 touchdowns
— Linsey (@Linsey_Fagan) November 25, 2018
31 wins
A whole lotta dingers@McSorley_IX says goodbye pic.twitter.com/rPx8a3Bw3A
"I don't think you could have written a better script for how this game went for the senior class"
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 25, 2018
James Franklin said Trace McSorley "earned that" curtain call
"Wherever they tell us where we're going (for a bowl), we'll be appreciative of the opportunity ... I know this season there have been some ups and downs ... But this is one of the best 3-year stretches (for PSU) in the Big Ten era" -- James Franklin
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 25, 2018
Penn State — a team in the hunt for New Year's Six bowl — finally looked the part
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 25, 2018
Instant recap from the Nittany Lions' dominant 38-3 win over Marylandhttps://t.co/Nh9wnPxrVx
Before ringing the bell and exiting the field, Trace McSorley took a moment to himself in the Beaver Stadium south end zone
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 25, 2018
McSorley accounted for 294 yards and three touchdowns in his Happy Valley finale pic.twitter.com/LF8GQdPsqB
FINAL: Penn State 38, Maryland 3
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
PSU’s defense dominates, and Trace McSorley finishes his final home game on top. pic.twitter.com/FVOpiW7TGf
Trace McSorley and the Penn State seniors go on a victory lap around Beaver Stadium
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
Penn State beats Maryland 38-3 pic.twitter.com/NlhGBBhE9Z
Trace is closing out his career at Beaver Stadium like a champ.@McSorley_IX finds Big Pat for a TD, and it's looking like a @PennStateFball win on Senior Day: pic.twitter.com/juIrkQUYkW
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 24, 2018
That should be it for Trace McSorley today. He walks to the sideline, embraces Franklin and then several teammates.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
It's been one heckuva career for No. 9. He came in as a QB that most schools wanted to play safety and will leave with every meaningful passing record at PSU.
Maryland has only failed to register 100 rushing yards twice this season -- against Iowa and Michigan State. (And it lost those games by a combined 47-3.)
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
It has 67 rushing yards today.
All Pat Freiermuth does is catch touchdowns
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
The true freshman tight end has his team-leading 7th score of the season
31-3 Penn State
Welcome back, Juwan Johnson
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
38-yard gain has Penn State knocking
By going for that FG, you deserve to miss that FG.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
Making the FG makes this a 3-score game. Missing the FG makes this ... a 3-score game.
Miles Sanders might leave for the NFL draft early, and he's a talented enough back to make it in the league next year
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
But ball security remains an issue for the junior
I've said both of these things way too much this season:
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
Impressive run by Sanders!
Fumble by Sanders!
Trace McSorley lowers his shoulder and picks up 17 yards on 3rd-and-15 after a sack
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
Most impressive play of the day for the fifth-year senior
Ricky Slade spin cycle! @PennStateFball is cruising on Senior Day: pic.twitter.com/R8KPgMEiuB
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 24, 2018
Maryland's Tre Watson has been ejected for targeting after the hit on Sanders. That's half the distance to the goal ...
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
And, on the next play, an 8-yard TD run by Ricky Slade. That should seal it up here, as PSU leads 24-3 early in 3Q.
Touchdown, Ricky Slade
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
A nifty 8-yard run gets him into the end zone. The true freshman now has 54 yards on 7 carries
24-3 Nittany Lions w/ 9:10 to go in the third
Miles Sanders was nailed in the head as he fell backward. He'll walk off the field under his own power, but I imagine it'll be a little while until he comes back. Stay tuned.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
Miles Sanders took a shot to the back of the head as he was going to the grass
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
Getting checked out by trainers right now
After that run, Miles Sanders has 10 carries for 81 yards
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
He should have at least 20 attempts by the end of this thing
Penn State leads Maryland 17-3 at the half. pic.twitter.com/YQAXNlDdVN
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) November 24, 2018
In the last 10 quarters alone, Penn State's defensive line has 10 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
So, yeah, it's been on quite a roll lately ...
That was a pretty cool play. A shame it was wasted ...
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
Well, that hook and ladder was fun pic.twitter.com/RVceaiQQ4p
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
11 seconds left with PSU on the 27 ... and it calls a timeout?
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
OK then. PSU needs about 38 yards and a quick timeout.
1st down: Gross-Matos TFL
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
2nd down: Givens sack
3rd down: INC
4th down: Punt
PSU's defensive line having itself another solid performance. DL has a combined 4.5 TFLs so far
Penn State's defense entered this season with a goal of 50 sacks
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
The Nittany Lions are up to 40 after that Kevin Givens takedown
And the fade doesn't work ... so PSU settles for a 25-yard FG to go up 17-3 with 2:11 left in the 2Q.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
Maryland hasn't really been able to get much going on offense. Going 1-for-5 on third downs hasn't helped.
And a glorified fade on 3rd-and-goal at the 7. It does not work.
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
Pinegar's chip-shot FG makes it 17-3 Penn State
They might not necessarily qualify as drops -- they weren't all exactly easy catches -- but Penn State has gotten its hands on four balls that it couldn't reel in for the catches. And there's still 4 minutes left in the first half ...
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
Several drops / missed opportunities by Penn State's pass-catchers today
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
Nothing new https://t.co/lbtDMkDpdb
Yetur Gross-Matos has quickly turned into one of the best players on this defense. Has 1.5 TFLs already today; he's having himself one heckvua season.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
Up to 18 TFLs on the season now.
Also, if you don't know Yetur Gross-Matos' backstory it's pretty remarkable
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
“Everything that he’s doing, he’s doing it for his brother.”https://t.co/IvhOIGsVEH
It would be a good idea to block Yetur Gross-Matos
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
Great decision to punt before, Maryland. Starts with the ball on its own 7 after trying to win the field-position battle ... https://t.co/H5kmTBjlF8
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
Trace McSorley breaks the #PennState career completions record.
— Kris Petersen (@GoPSUKris) November 24, 2018
That's ️ for Trace.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 24, 2018
And @PennStateFBall has widened its lead: pic.twitter.com/pgsYWNSerh
And Maryland is lining up to punt from the PSU 42 ... because its defense has done a great job and the offense has found itself here often?
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
You're a double-digit underdog. Go for it, UMD.
Maryland punted
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
On 4th-and-4
On Penn State's 42-yard line
Down 14-3 pic.twitter.com/eCZO0kYFdl
Trace McSorley runs for another TD, this time 20 yards. That's his second rushing TD of the day.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
Make it 14-3 PSU late in 1Q.
Maryland has 8 carries for 20 yards; PSU has 9 carries for 93 yards.
Touchdown, Trace McSorley
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
Instead of throwing on the play-fake, No. 9 burst up the middle for a 20-yard score
14-3 Nittany Lions w/ 1:58 to go in the first quarter
That's twice on this drive Amani Oruwariye has made a strong tackle on a jet sweep
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
The Penn State corner said a few weeks ago he wanted to be more physical in the running game. Likely a question mark entering NFL draft prep
Not sure who blew their coverage there, but that was the easiest catch around 3 DBs I've ever seen.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
48-yard play by Maryland, and they're knocking on the door to the end zone, trailing 7-0 in 1Q.
A little rain can't slow down @McSorley_IX.
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 24, 2018
Trace starts Senior Day right for @PennStateFball: pic.twitter.com/2ceQXcygxw
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
Not the best start injury-wise for Penn State https://t.co/Sg8DVOml25
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
No. 10 Ohio State beats No. 4 Michigan
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
No. 11 Florida beats Florida State
No. 16 Washington beats No. 8 Washington State
The only New Year's Six help Penn State has received this weekend was No. 6 Oklahoma beating No. 13 West Virginia. Everything else has been meh.
.@BoilerFootball is bringing the Old Oaken Bucket back to West Lafayette, but first @JeffBrohm and the guys celebrated with @TheTylerTrent in the locker room: pic.twitter.com/jjMnl8cYFw
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 24, 2018
1:36. Math is hard. https://t.co/PvGmNLFYde
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
Trace McSorley gets his senior day started off right with a 3-yard TD and a TD drive that lasted just 2:36.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
The bad news? KJ Hamler just went into the injury tent moments ago. Appeared to hurt his ankle after blocking for Miles Sanders
The seniors that took Penn State to the Big Ten Championship, Rose Bowl and Fiesta Bowl are celebrated in their final home game pic.twitter.com/iDnvOcT2Kt
— Linsey (@Linsey_Fagan) November 24, 2018
Touchdown, Trace McSorley
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
The fifth-year senior kicks off his final game at Beaver Stadium right
7-0 Penn State
Maryland's defense appears to have a lot in common with most of Penn State's student section. Just decided not to show up today.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
Big first two offensive plays by PSU -- 34-yard pass and 35-yard run.
Trace McSorley to KJ Hamler for 34 yards on the first play of Senior Day
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
Followed by a 35-yard run by Miles Sanders
Nittany Lions rolling early
We’re minutes away from kickoff, and the stadium is maybe — maybe — one-third full. Poor weather and poor parking have helped lead to poor attendance: pic.twitter.com/YGcKctqPJU
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
You can get into Beaver Stadium for the cost of half a chicken basket pic.twitter.com/paXpjnlZZp
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
I don't know if I've ever been to a game where so few students showed up that there wasn't enough for the "S" Zone ... https://t.co/OiT9ZRbuTT
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
Trace McSorley is honored on Senior Day pic.twitter.com/pDw8vcAHjc
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
That man took off. @PCampbell21 turned on the burners, and @OhioStateFB is eyeing Indy: pic.twitter.com/o44jmgQUaR
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 24, 2018
Penn State's starting wideouts today: KJ Hamler, Jahan Dotson, DeAndre Thompkins
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
Juwan Johnson warmed up though. Looks like he'll give it a go after being out in recent weeks
Funny this comes the morning after all the griping about OU-WVU defenses.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) November 24, 2018
Michigan is Exhibit A that a great defense can only get you so far in 2018. You better have a QB and an offense that can produce big plays of its own.
That’s why Nick Saban adapted. Not sure Harbaugh has
Interesting development along Penn State's offensive line https://t.co/SdogciIwCb
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
The Penn State football team has arrived at Beaver Stadium, the fans are still sparse. The cold rain doesn't look like it will end anytime soon. pic.twitter.com/u9dX18JCRq
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) November 24, 2018
For those NY6-minded Penn State fans, No. 11 Florida is up 13-7 on Florida State at halftime
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
A Seminole upset would be significant for the Nittany Lions' Fiesta/Peach Bowl chanceshttps://t.co/BbYWmUnyGG
I’m excited to announce that I am 100% committed to Penn State #WeAre #PSUnrivaled #107kStrong @coachjfranklin @CoachLimegrover @TylerBowen @mark_dup @RickyRahne @CoachTimBanks pic.twitter.com/RuA2abwGm2
— Grant Toutant (@toutant_grant) November 24, 2018
Citrus Bowl reps are here for Penn State-Maryland
— John McGonigal (@jmcgonigal9) November 24, 2018
With Ohio State playing the way it is, Orlando is looking a little more likely
Yes, that’s PSU warming up without shirts in 30-degree weather as the freezing rain continues to fall ... pic.twitter.com/6sdFV5gUX7
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
Trace McSorley with a thank you letter to PSU fans in the game program. pic.twitter.com/thOzrSv9EO
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) November 24, 2018
Two NFL teams and a CFL team are in attendance today: Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens and Calgary Stampeders.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 24, 2018
Reps from the Citrus Bowl are also here.
This story was originally published November 24, 2018 at 2:59 PM.