Penn State 79, Idaho 7: What happened and what we thought

By Lauren Muthler

Updated September 1, 2019 11:56 PM

UNIVERSITY PARK

Follow along as Centre Daily Times writers Josh Moyer and Jon Sauber critique the Penn State vs. Idaho 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 79-7 win over Idaho. Check back for reactions from players and coaches.

Penn State smashes Idaho 79-7 in the season opener. A lot of stories coming soon on @centredaily! pic.twitter.com/aeXdElwo2j
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) September 1, 2019

PSU now leads 79-7.

Five RBs have now scored touchdowns. 2:17 left in the game. #PSUvsIdaho
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

EURYYYYYYY!!!!!!!
— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) August 31, 2019

So you were just trying to see how high that scoreboard goes today huh? @PennStateFball
— Trace McSorley (@McSorley_IX) August 31, 2019

A trio of firsts on that last touchdown. It was Will Levis' first career touchdown pass and true freshman tight end Brenton Strange's first career reception and touchdown. #PSU leads Idaho, 65-0.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) August 31, 2019

Some special guests back on the sidelines: Heyyy, @BoobieMilesXXIV & @Sacks5thReef! #FlyEaglesFly #WeAre pic.twitter.com/VqjMla68Qk
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) August 31, 2019

Yesirrr !!! My brother !!!! @JourneyBrown6 https://t.co/blsztOJYDr
— SCOOBY ALLEN (@theALLENshow) August 31, 2019

Former @scasdathletics defensive back Keaton Ellis breaks up the Idaho pass to force another punt.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) August 31, 2019

Today's announced/paid attendance: 104,527#PSUvsIdaho
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

First career TD alert @therealnoahcain joins the @PennStateFball scoring party. pic.twitter.com/yU3X08o0yY
— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) August 31, 2019

Noah Cain is the fourth #PSU running back to score in the game as he takes the hand-off from Levis for a three-yard touchdown run. Penn State leads Idaho, 58-0.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) August 31, 2019

Will Levis is in at QB. Looks like Sean Clifford's day is done.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) August 31, 2019

John Reid picks off the pass at the Idaho 31 and takes it down to the six-yard line.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) August 31, 2019

.@JourneyBrown6 slams it home again! #IDvsPSU #WeAre pic.twitter.com/KqB9T1u44d
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) August 31, 2019

#PennState 44 first-half points against Idaho are its most by halftime since a school-record 56 against Illinois in 2005. #WeAre #PSUnrivaled
— BTNStatsGuys (@BTNStatsGuys) August 31, 2019

Sorry for the wrong use of route in that first tweet, there were a lot of screaming girls around me! Here's another of Joe Jonas waving to the crowd as they sing along to one of his hits. pic.twitter.com/JBQ6IjaoOs
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) August 31, 2019

Penn State is up 44-0 at the half against Idaho. pic.twitter.com/bW8Lw05mI1
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) August 31, 2019

PSU leads 44-0 at halftime. First-half takeaways:

* Defense as good as advertised. Yes, it's Idaho. But lots of players have seen time. Gross-Matos w/ 2.5 sacks

* Clifford not perfect but hard to find much fault. Showed good decision-making toward end of half.

* RBBC dangerous
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

When I predicted a 45-0 score, I meant it as a final ... not the score at halftime.

PSU leads 41-0, after another Clifford TD pass. 1:39 left in 1H.

Clifford is 11-of-18 for 213 yards and 2 TDs. Also has 32 rushing yards.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

.@Kj_hamler + end zone X2 = #IDvsPSU #WeAre pic.twitter.com/Dx2gOqm3NB
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) August 31, 2019

That's quite the 2nd career rushing attempt.

True freshman Devyn Ford finds a crease and takes it 81 yards for a TD. You knew he was gone about 10 yards in.

PSU up 34-0 with 4:27 left in the 2nd.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

Gross-Matos: 2 sacks
Oweh: 1 sack
Toney: 1 sack

We're not even 25 minutes into this game. This DL is pretty good. #PSUvsIdaho
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

Idaho earns its first, first down of the day on a 38-yard pass from quarterback Colton Richardson to wide receiver Jeff Cotton.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) August 31, 2019

We're just going to leave this right here ...https://t.co/y33dQ0fbXu
— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) August 31, 2019

Sean Clifford floats a pass to K.J. Hamler in the back of the end zone for a 37-yd touchdown. Clifford looks more settled back there and is using his legs to make things happen for the #PSU offense.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) August 31, 2019

Did Idaho's punter forget how to football?

He's an FCS All-American who's punted five times and hasn't hit 40 yards once. Averaging 27.6 yards per punt. Strange.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

Yetur Gross-Matos: 2 sacks in 17 minutes.

This defense has already fielded more players than I can track. And it's been absolutely dominant: Idaho still has minus-3 total yards.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

#PSU leads Idaho 20-0 at the end of the first quarter. The Vandals have yet to earn a first down on offense.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) August 31, 2019

PSU up 20-0 with 1:50 left in the first quarter, after a short goal-line plunge from Ricky Slade.

Idaho currently has minus-5 total yards.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

Idaho's QB has dropped back to pass six times.

He's been sacked twice, called for grounding once and hurried once. He's 1-3 for 5 yards.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

Journey Brown -- the kid who ran for 722 yards in ONE HS game -- goes right up the middle for a speedy 23-yard TD.#PSU leads Idaho 13-0 with 5:03 left in the 1Q.

(And here's a look at that 722-yard game ... because that was ridiculous: https://t.co/APbPFcR2NB)
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

As mentioned by @PSUPoorman, the kick below was tied for the third-longest FG in PSU history. https://t.co/V8DSUiL7Ev
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

Yetur Gross-Matos needed 5 minutes to get his first sack.

Imagine we'll see quite a few more of those this year ... Enjoy it now, PSU fans. This is likely the last season in the blue-and-white for that NFL-bound young man.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

PSU's Jordan Stout with the 53-yard FG.

We've heard a lot about his strong leg this offseason, and the kicker transfer just backed up the hype.

PSU leads 6-0 with 8:35 left in the 1st quarter. #PSUvsIdaho
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

Stout is 2-for-2 on kickoffs going through the end zone. Looks like Penn State shouldn't have to worry about their opponents' return game this year.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) August 31, 2019

Penn State sputters after two nice plays and has to settle for a FG after starting its drive on the Idaho 34. PSU 3-0.

You can see the potential for explosive plays here. Imagine the TD flurry will be coming at some point ... only 3:30 into the game here.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

Penn State opens the scoring with a 28-yard field goal. Rough start for the offense after a promising first few plays.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) August 31, 2019

Idaho went for it on 4th-and-1 -- can't blame a HUGE underdog for being aggressive -- and Clifford will now take over at the Idaho 34.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

Keaton Ellis in as third corner on third down with Reid shifting inside.
— Derek Levarse (@TLdlevarse) August 31, 2019

No targeting on the play. Taylor stays in the game.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) August 31, 2019

First play of the game, and safety Garrett Taylor hits the intended receiver hard enough to jar the ball loose -- but there's a flag on the play.

He might be ejected for targeting. Player under review ...
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

Penn State kicker Jordan Stout kicks the opening kick out the back of the end zone and the PSU football season is underway.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) August 31, 2019

Damn I’m really not running out of Beaver today shit real
— Shareef Miller (@Sacks5thReef) August 31, 2019

Joe Jonas is here on the sidelines to route on Penn State pic.twitter.com/29egcqsmf0
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) August 31, 2019

It’s Gameday in Happy Valley! These have been holidays in my family since the day I was born. I’ve been in Beaver Stadium as a fan, a recruit, a player and now will get to be in there as a coach. I’m the luckiest guy you’ve ever met! #WeAre ️
— Kevin Reihner (@CoachReihnerPSU) August 31, 2019

https://twitter.com/ByJoshMoyer/status/1167881667240849408?s=20

Fans welcome the 2019 Penn State football team to Beaver Stadium for the season opener against Idaho pic.twitter.com/tFpykjwwwH
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) August 31, 2019

Penn State is set to arrive at Beaver Stadium in a little over 10 minutes.

Here’s a look at the crowd waiting for the blue buses: pic.twitter.com/eOMuPHmxxv
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

James Franklin and the Nittany Lions have arrived. Game vs. Idaho kicks off at 3:30 p.m. pic.twitter.com/ijMnMmyyEh
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019

Some pregame reading before #PSUvsIdaho:

What to watch: https://t.co/BHEI5i3ztx

2 key matchups: https://t.co/fThc8pOOGM

Clifford: https://t.co/qmh3vPd8oW

Dominant D: https://t.co/Q0g33aT4YY

Freiermuth: https://t.co/nLYB40cv8J

OL: https://t.co/Yq4d2nJzi9
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) August 31, 2019