Penn State 45, Buffalo 13: What happened and what we thought
Follow along as the Centre Daily Times writers Josh Moyer and Jon Sauber critique the Penn State vs. Idaho game and photographer Abby Drey provides behind-the-scenes and in-game photos and video. Stay with us all evening and check back after the game for more from the players and coaches.
Penn State overcame a halftime deficit to blow out Buffalo 45-13. Check back for reactions from players and coaches.
James Franklin says PSU was able to make some adjustments at halftime -- but that obviously PSU can't wait that long to make the adjustments. Has to be sooner.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
Might not have official stats for a while ... but, according to FOX, PSU had the ball for 17:24 to Buffalo's 42:36 -- and PSU ran 47 plays to Buffalo's 90.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
Penn State has a big second half and beats Buffalo 45-13. pic.twitter.com/llcDisf3Pm
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) September 8, 2019
John Reid turned the momentum in Penn State's win over Buffalo with a big-time play early in the third quarter.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 8, 2019
My story: https://t.co/HIbX3TQ2up
Penn State moves to 2-0 after beating Buffalo, 45-13. The Nittany Lions struggled in the first half, trailing by 3 at the mid-point, but came back to earn the blowout victory.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 8, 2019
FINAL: Penn State 45-13
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
PSU trailed at halftime 10-7 but came back strong. Clifford finished with 280 passing yards and 4 TDs.
No. ️ for @H55ZY!
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) September 8, 2019
The Nittany Lions take a 45-13 lead late in Q4. #BUFvsPSU #WeAre pic.twitter.com/5vYiYtejIz
Yetur Gross-Matos 2019 Sack Count: 3
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 8, 2019
Penn State brings the lead to 25 after a 32-yard field goal from Jake Pinegar. They're up, and cruising, 38-13 with 13:58 left in the game.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 8, 2019
PSU still experiencing technical difficulties on the stats. So if you're wondering why nobody has 'em ... well ... that's why.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
Quite the third quarter for PSU, though. Began the the third trailing 10-7; ended it with a 35-13 lead.
Heading to the 4th now.
Great play by TE Pat Freiermuth, who snags a short pass on 4th-and-2 for the first down -- but continues to barrel forward for a 28-yard TD pass.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
That's his second TD of the game.
PSU leads 35-13 with 2:56 left in the 3rd quarter. (Trailed 10-7 at halftime.)
Buffalo's punter waved to the training staff to come on the field, and he's going to be carted off.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
Crowd is quiet. https://t.co/gkNLXFNlb3
Penn State true freshman running back Noah Cain takes it in from two yards out to give the Nittany Lions a 28-13 lead.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 8, 2019
Hey, Sean Clifford really does have some wheels.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
Just sprinted for a 58-yard gain. Think that's the second-longest run of the season for PSU so far.
Buffalo kicker Alex McNulty hits a 25-yard field goal to cut it to a one-possession game. Penn State leads the Bulls, 21-13.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 8, 2019
Tonight's announced/paid attendance: 104,136#PSUvsUB
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
And PSU just allowed a 29-yard run. #Inconsistent https://t.co/63PItqYen2
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
PSU just added a TD pass to TE Pat Freiermuth. And PSU might run away with the game now; it's up 21-10.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
But this is the play that started the turnaround: https://t.co/CaVUA3ePJg
Matt Myers tried to go back to Antonio Nunn and Reid saw it all the way. Great read and great jump by the PSU cornerback. #PSUvsUB
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 8, 2019
TURNING POINT: CB John Reid steps in front of the intended target, intercepts it and returns it for a 36-yard pick-six.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
PSU takes the 14-10 lead. Defense bailed out the offense there -- which might be a refrain we hear a lot this season.
Ricky Slade fumbles but, from up here in the press box, it looked as if that might've been a helmet-to-helmet hit. I not see that right?
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
At any rate, PSU's momentum comes to an end with a turnover. Buffalo takes over and still leads, 10-7, early in the 3rd.
Penn State is trailing Buffalo, 10-7 at the half. pic.twitter.com/T5tstvWIE3
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) September 8, 2019
The highlight of the game so far. https://t.co/fqj6fixlcO
— Lauren Muthler (@lmuth1259) September 8, 2019
And Buffalo will head into the half with a lead after a touchdown pass from Matt Myers to Julien Bourassa. They lead Penn State, 10-7.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 8, 2019
This is shocking. Barring an electric return, PSU, a 30-plus point favorite, will head into halftime LOSING to Buffalo.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
The Bulls lead 10-7 with 11 seconds left in the half. Unbelievable.
Oh my ... CB Donovan Johnson gets beat deep in man coverage and Buffalo is now 6 yards from the end zone after a 40-yard gain.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
What's going on here?
LB Cam Brown pops back up on the field after getting hit on his right knee and staying down a few moments. He walks off, though, and the injury doesn't seem serious.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
Hamler drops it for the first down so PSU is forced to punt ... and Buffalo calls a fair catch at the 4-yard line. Because why not?
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
Penn State can't get its offense going right now. The depth of the defense is going to be tested tonight if they keep getting stuck on the field like this. #PSUvsUB
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 8, 2019
PSU is 1-4 on third downs tonight, meaning it's 2-12 on the season ... against Idaho and Buffalo.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
On this drive: PSU's OL committed three flags, two holding calls on the last play and an ineligible man downfield on another.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
PSU goes backward on a three-and-out there ... which will not help Buffalo's HUGE time of possession advantage.
Buffalo finishes with a FG ... after a 19-play, 69-yard dive that up 8:34 of the clock.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
With drives like that, Penn State's offense is going to have find some explosive plays quickly.
PSU leads 7-3 w/ 9:42 left in the 1st half
Buffalo kicker Alex McNulty hits a field goal to cut the Penn State lead to four. The Bulls have controlled the clock and the game thus far, and have kept the Penn State offense off the field. #PSUvsUB
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 8, 2019
The Penn State defensive ends were five yards into the backfield before they knew a screen was coming. Great call and execution by Buffalo. #PSUvsUB
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 8, 2019
After watching the Army-Michigan game earlier today ... this one is definitely triggering some deja vu at this point. #PSUvsUB
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
Just me?
Buffalo's OL is holding its own against this defensive line so far.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
Knew the Bulls' OL was good -- but didn't expect this early on. Averaging almost 4 yards/carry and haven't allowed a sack.
Penn State leads 7-0 after an uneventful first quarter, outside of Penn State's touchdown off the Buffalo fumble. The Nittany Lions' offense only has 56 total yards, 28 of which came on the touchdown pass from Clifford to Dotson.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 8, 2019
End of 1Q: PSU 7-0
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 8, 2019
Some key numbers:
T.O.P.: Buffalo 10:08; PSU 4:52
Total yards: Buffalo 119-56
TFLs: Buffalo D 3, PSU D 1
State High's Keaton Ellis got beat deep there. Just missed making a play on the ball.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 7, 2019
Staff and teammates all think highly of the freshman CB -- but not a great play there.
And here's the play that set up the Clifford-Dotson TD strike.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 7, 2019
LB Cam Brown missed the 1st half last week due to suspension (from targeting in the bowl game last season). Looks like PSU's happy to have him starting again. https://t.co/cewLwlCy2s
I saw KJ Hamler in the end zone and thought Clifford missed him ... Nope -- 28-yard TD strike falls right into the hands of Jahan Dotson there.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 7, 2019
Maybe someone ran the wrong route, but it doesn't much matter. PSU up 7-0 w/ 8:50 left in the 1st
Two back-to-back passes for PSU. Two back-to-back completions.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 7, 2019
And two back-to-back losses.
PSU will punt after another completion -- that goes forward this time, but short of the sticks.
A view from the office today #PSUvsUB pic.twitter.com/JAfdQDWG96
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 7, 2019
Nothing like the atmosphere of Beaver Stadium. @PennStateFBall pic.twitter.com/yPr86xe9F4
— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) September 7, 2019
TE Pat Freiermuth was dressed and practicing, and now he was just announced as a starter on the video board.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 7, 2019
Penn State football team arrives at Beaver Stadium for the 7:30 kick off against Buffalo. QB Sean Clifford was all smiles, I'm curious what his tunes are! pic.twitter.com/msymrLuobS
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) September 7, 2019
PSU has arrived at the stadium. Kickoff is in about 2 hours #PSUvsUB pic.twitter.com/xDF8uhHlbO
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 7, 2019
PSU’s blue buses set to arrive shortly. It’s about 2.5 hours until kickoff here for the Buffalo game. pic.twitter.com/9OeJYcq6cv
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) September 7, 2019
Other stories worth your time
Penn State football rebounds, rallies to blow out upset-minded Buffalo 45-13
How Penn State CB John Reid turned Saturday’s win over Buffalo in the Nittany Lions’ favor
5 things to watch in Saturday night’s Penn State vs. Buffalo college football game
Why Penn State DE Jayson Oweh is already a ‘freak’ -- and why he’s only getting started
How to watch Penn State vs. Buffalo: TV channel, live stream, odds & predictions
What Buffalo coach Lance Leipold said about Penn State ahead of Saturday’s matchup
How can Buffalo keep it close against Penn State football? Here are the 2 key matchups
How high are expectations for Penn State’s WRs? Assistant coach Gerad Parker discusses starters
This story was originally published September 7, 2019 at 7:42 PM.