Penn State football 27, Rutgers 6: What happened and what we thought

.@coachjfranklin & @blakegillikin share a special moment before ringing the victory bell. pic.twitter.com/JdQqsJdeXO

— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) December 1, 2019

#weare pic.twitter.com/ztvMrd0Jj2

— Pat Freiermuth (@pat_fry5) December 1, 2019

James Franklin on whether he wants to address the FSU speculation: "I think I addressed it earlier in the year. ... I'm hoping this thing is going to be over very quick but, like I told you, I love Penn State. I love our players. I don't see that changing anytime soon."

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 1, 2019

Penn State wasn't great, but Rutgers was worse. Here's three takeaways from #PSUvsRU by @JonSauber https://t.co/ZfiT59vFqL

— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) December 1, 2019

Franklin: "They played well tonight. We didn't play as well as we could've. But we're waking up tomorrow happy. We have things to critique and work on."

— Derek Levarse (@TLdlevarse) December 1, 2019

What would Franklin say to people who think Penn State should've won by more?

"I get that. But what I also would say is that you guys could also look up where people were supposed to do something and lost."

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 1, 2019

Franklin says he felt like PSU could've played Noah Cain... but he's been saying that for weeks.

"We worried if we played him and he tweaked it again, then he would not be 100% for the bowl game and, with the depth we have for the RB position, it allowed us to do that with him."

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 1, 2019

Next up ... Rose Bowl? https://t.co/ekz09eZwx7

— Penn State Football (@psu_football) November 30, 2019

Penn State football gets the win over Rutgers, 27-6 for senior day. pic.twitter.com/SipKplQwjd

— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) December 1, 2019

It wasn't always pretty, but Penn State, with the help of a Journey Brown TD hat-trick, beat Rutgers to finish the season 10-2.https://t.co/jDorRGu5wd

— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) November 30, 2019

Final from Beaver Stadium 27-6 PSU.

— WHVL-TV (@WHVL) November 30, 2019

Journey Brown scored three touchdowns as @PennStateFball closed out the regular season with a win.

Highlights: pic.twitter.com/DKogE39QAi

— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) November 30, 2019

Ta'Quan Roberson is making his debut at quarterback for Penn State. #PSUvsRU

— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) November 30, 2019

Rutgers gonna Rutgers.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

Well, it took until the 4th quarter, but PSU's laying it on now. RB Journey Brown has 3 TDs now, to go along with 103 rushing yards.

PSU 27-6 w/ 5:13 left in 4th

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

For as bad as Penn State has played, and for as close as this game was, it never felt like the Nittany Lions were in danger of losing. That's more indicative of how bad Rutgers is than anything else. #PSUvsRU

— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) November 30, 2019

Jahan Dotson (@H55ZY) hit 'em with the hesi-spin for the @PennStateFball TD. #BTNStandout x @AutoOwnersIns pic.twitter.com/QdA90wcovm

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) November 30, 2019

And that should do it.

Levis finds Dotson for a 44-yard touchdown on a bobbled snap and an underthrown ball. But no one was around Dotson and he outran everybody north-south the last 5 yards.

PSU 20-6 w/ 12:16 left in 4th Q

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

PSU needed three things to happen today to have its best chance at the Rose Bowl:

1. Ohio State wins (CHECK)
2. Wisconsin wins (Leading by 14)
3. PSU wins big (uhh ... it's 13-6 in the 4th)

Not a great performance so far by the Nittany Lions.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

Announced attendance: 98,895

Actual attendance: Probably about 30K less than that.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

I think LB Cam Brown was leaping as Langan threw that pass. What's he supposed to do?

Roughing the passer and targeting are the worst ...

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

Journey Brown and Will Levis carved up the Rutgers defense once again. Penn State shouldn’t pss the rest of the game. The Nittany Lions lead, 13-3 after a blocked XP.

— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) November 30, 2019

Will Levis is the most powerful Penn State runner I've ever seen line up as QB.

His 49-yard run gives him 112 rush yards for the day. And Journey Brown scores an 18-yard rush TD two plays later.

PSU 13-3 w/ 12:05 left in 3Q

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

Penn State leads Rutgers, 7-3 at the half. pic.twitter.com/5IA8WhTUql

— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) November 30, 2019

Key stats at halftime for #PSUvsRU. PSU leads 7-3:

Total offense: RU 243, PSU 129

3rd downs: RU 4-8, PSU 2-6

Passing: RU Langan 8-of-15, 146 yards; PSU Levis 4-of-9, 21 yards, 1 INT

Rushing: RU Pacheco 10 for 74 yards; PSU Levis 11 for 63 yards

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

Rutgers is thoroughly outplaying Penn State right now. Just a brutal performance by the Nittany Lions so far and they still lead, 7-3, at the half. They’ve changed their offense to fit Levis, and it’s clearly limiting the team. #PSUvsRU

— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) November 30, 2019

Nothing about this game is pretty. #PSUvsRU

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

That’s a bad ball by Levis. Daniel George had to come back for it and couldn’t fight through the defender to break up the interception. #PSUvsRU

— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) November 30, 2019

We've seen 3 true freshmen in at DB some plays, DTs we haven't heard from a good portion of the year, and 3 new starters (including QB Will Levis). https://t.co/5eWv9tFO8S

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

It’s only right! https://t.co/tOK9Cbqcfo

— Trace McSorley (@McSorley_IX) November 30, 2019

That's one heckuva send off for PSU P Blake Gillikin on Senior Day. 72-yard punt, downed at Rutgers' own 3-yard line.

I don't get to say this often on punts, but ... Wow.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

Is there a returner who has been more snake-bitten on long returns than KJ Hamler this year?

We've seen 2 TDs get called back due to holding earlier this year. And, just now, officials ruled he stepped out early during a 40+ yard return.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

Rutgers score appears to have woken up the PSU offense. Responds with a 9-play, 76-yard TD drive, punctuated by a short Journey Brown TD.

PSU 7-3 w/ 6 seconds left in 1Q

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

I'm not sure how Rutgers was not flagged for an illegal forward pass on that third down completion, but perhaps the officials, like Penn State, also are deciding to ease into this one.

— Greg Pickel (@GregPickel) November 30, 2019

WAKE UP!

— Daryll Clark (@CaptainClark17) November 30, 2019

And RUTGERS takes the 3-0 LEAD after a 39-yard double-reverse flea-flicker gave it great field position.

3:32 left in 1Q

Penn State offense struggling without QB Sean Clifford, who's injured.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

Penn State’s offense looks lost right now. Levis playing like a guy making his first career start. #PSUvsRU

— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) November 30, 2019

Penn State has looked more like Rutgers than Rutgers has so far.

— Cory Giger (@CoryGiger) November 30, 2019

And S Lamont Wade came back in for PSU the play before. https://t.co/QgjyCcX69r

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

Not only did Rutgers complete a third-and-long pass for the first down, but two PSU starters -- CB John Reid and S Lamont Wade -- are both down on the field and being tended to by trainers.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

Will Levis has to see that blitz coming and get rid of the ball there. Penn State stalls out and punts it to Rutgers. #PSUvsRU

— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) November 30, 2019

We're not crying!

Thank you, seniors, for the impact you've made on @PennStateFball. pic.twitter.com/muJqsKAx6g

— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) November 30, 2019

We’re about 10 minutes to kickoff for the #PSUvsRU game. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned so far this season, it’s this: Few want to watch Rutgers. pic.twitter.com/zFn5VpQVTR

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

If you look at the attendance for each B1G team when Rutgers goes on the road, you notice a trend.

Here's where the Rutgers game ranked among each opposing B1G team's attendance:

At PSU: Lowest
At U-M: Lowest
At IU: Lowest
At Minn: Lowest
At Iowa: 2nd-lowest
At Ill: 3rd-lowest

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

New Penn State starters today for #PSUvsRU

QB: Will Levis (for Clifford)
WR: Daniel George (for Shorter/WR3)
DE: Jayson Oweh (for Gross-Matos)
CB Keaton Ellis (for Castro-Fields)

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

State College's own Keaton Ellis is set to make his first career start today vs. Rutgers, according to the video board announcing the starters.

He's starting in place of CB Tariq Castro-Fields.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford is wearing sweats as his teammates warm up for the game against Rutgers. Earlier this week Franklin said Clifford was a game time decision. pic.twitter.com/9p1YhSQiGT

— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) November 30, 2019

Looks as if Sean Clifford is in street clothes. That means QB Will Levis is starting.

Clifford was just shown up on the video board.

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

Penn State football has arrived at Beaver Stadium for senior day and the 3:30 kick against Rutgers. pic.twitter.com/s18VFWB9QS

— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) November 30, 2019

The Nittany Lions have arrived. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. #PSUvsRU pic.twitter.com/0LzN4ZO7K4

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

Penn State set to arrive in about 10 minutes to Beaver Stadium. Not a bad crowd here to greet them, considering the date and the opponent. But parking lot across the street doesn’t even appear half-full. pic.twitter.com/usixPOvrf8

— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) November 30, 2019

It's Here. #BeatRutgers#WeAre pic.twitter.com/r6r23p2hAP

— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) November 30, 2019

SHE SAID YES! - Pat Freiermuth (@pat_fry5) helps former Penn State lacrosse player John Von Messen propose to his girlfriend Lauren Piotrowski! #WeAre pic.twitter.com/xRRYVEDndd

— Hannah Mears (@hanmears_) November 30, 2019

What's Senior Day mean to the 16 seniors who, with a win today, would be the winningest class since 1997?@RobertWindsor54, @jan_johnson36, @StevenG511, @Freakyy6ix, @Nbowers28, @GTaylor_17 and @blakegillikin shared their thoughts earlier this week:https://t.co/JLlCjdGwN6

— Penn State Football (@psu_football) November 30, 2019

One final time in Beaver tomorrow...couldn’t be more thankful for Penn State and the journey this school has taken me on...nothing but love #WeAre @ Beaver Stadium https://t.co/Qt1zmlLFIQ

— Garrett Taylor (@GTaylor_17) November 30, 2019