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Here’s a look back at Penn State football’s wins, losses from the 2024 season

Penn State football's 2024 regular season earned it a spot in the College Football Playoff for the first time. The regular season included several big wins, close calls and one loss to Ohio State.

The Nittany Lions saw new opponents this season after the Big Ten conference expansion, and opponents offered both challenges and opportunities. They faced off against one of those new opponents - Oregon - in the Big Ten title game, suffering a 45-37 loss.

Here's a look back at some of the games from the season.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Allen talk to his players during a time out the game against Bowling Green on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024.

NO. 1: HERE’S WHAT PENN STATE’S DEFENSE LEARNED FROM ITS UPSET SCARE AGAINST BOWLING GREEN

The Nittany Lions may be on course for a playoff berth, but Saturday proved how easily it can be derailed. | Published September 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jon Sauber

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar walks off the field in disappointment after falling to Oregon in the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

NO. 2: ANOTHER BIG GAME, ANOTHER LOSS. CAN THIS SEASON STILL BE DIFFERENT FOR PENN STATE FOOTBALL?

Penn State fell to Oregon in the Big Ten title game, but appears closer than ever to breaking through. | Published December 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jon Sauber

Oregon’s Nikko Reed intercepts the ball intended for Penn State wide receiver Harrison Wallace III during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.

NO. 3: THREE TAKEAWAYS FROM PENN STATE FOOTBALL’S 45-37 LOSS TO OREGON FOR BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP

Penn State will still make the College Football Playoff but, with the loss, the path to a national title just got harder. | Published December 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jon Sauber

Oct 12, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) is congratulated by head coach James Franklin after defeating the USC Trojans in overtime at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

NO. 4: THREE TAKEAWAYS FROM PENN STATE FOOTBALL’S THRILLING 33-30 OT WIN AGAINST USC

One-man wrecking crew Tyler Warren tied an FBS record for most single-game receptions by a tight end. | Published October 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jon Sauber

Nov 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) runs the ball against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

NO. 5: THREE TAKEAWAYS FROM PENN STATE FOOTBALL’S 26-25 WIN OVER MINNESOTA IN MINNEAPOLIS

The nail-biter keeps the Nittany Lions’ hopes alive at hosting a home game in the College Football Playoff. | Published November 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jon Sauber

Penn State tight end Tyler Warren (44) is defended by Purdue Boilermakers defensive back Smiley Bradford (6) during the first quarter Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium.

NO. 6: THREE TAKEAWAYS FROM PENN STATE FOOTBALL’S 49-10 WIN OVER PURDUE IN WEST LAFAYETTE

TE Tyler Warren racked up 190 rushing/receiving yards, again showing why he’s a candidate for the Mackey Award. | Published November 16, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jon Sauber

Oct 12, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions safety Jaylen Reed (1) is congratulated by head coach James Franklin after defeating the USC Trojans in overtime at United Airlines Field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

NO. 7: WHY PENN STATE FOOTBALL’S EMOTIONAL OT WIN AGAINST USC IS SO IMPORTANT FOR THE PROGRAM

Even unlikely players stepped up in critical times. The best might be yet to come. | Published October 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jon Sauber

Nov 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions players pose for a photo with the Governor’s Victory Bell after defeating the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

NO. 8: THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY: REVIEWING PENN STATE FOOTBALL’S NARROW 26-25 WIN OVER MINNESOTA

The Nittany Lions won with crucial conversions late in the game. | Published November 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jon Sauber

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.