Penn State football 53, Memphis 39: What happened in the Cotton Bowl and what we thought
Follow along as Centre Daily Times writers Josh Moyer and Jon Sauber provide live updates and instant analysis of Penn State vs. Memphis in the GoodYear Cotton Bowl Classic, while photojournalist Abby Drey provides sideline and behind-the-scenes photos live from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Penn State football held on to beat Memphis 53-39. The Nittany Lions’ running game was on display, as Journey Brown set a Penn State bowl record with 202 rushing yards, while Noah Cain added 92. Ricky Slade also had 58, and Devyn Ford even added a pair.
Here’s what happened:
Penn State wins the 84th Cotton Bowl pic.twitter.com/IdH6C8ZOlr
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) December 28, 2019
MVPs @Micah_Parsons11 and @JourneyBrown6 join @coachjfranklin at the postgame presser. pic.twitter.com/CBq77rqrzD
— Kris Petersen (@GoPSUKris) December 28, 2019
Here's @JonSauber's three takeaway's from Penn State football's 53-39 Cotton Bowl win over Memphis. https://t.co/ii8DWfzo29
— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) December 28, 2019
Penn State Nittany Lions hold on to win high-scoring Cotton Bowl over Memphis Tigers https://t.co/0ALfalbxnR
— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) December 28, 2019
Lots of confetti after the #CottonBowl — and lots of celebrating. pic.twitter.com/xVPVuv5Q7L
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
FINAL: Penn State 53, Memphis 39
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
Journey Brown sets a school bowl record with 202 rushing yards. pic.twitter.com/f2bxsTGozF
Marquis Wilson with the pick for Penn State. That should wrap this one up. The Nittany Lions lead, 53-39, with the ball and 4:36 on the clock. #CottonBowl
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
Pat "Truck" Freiermuth is doing his thing today. https://t.co/RjbSzYkfjn
— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) December 28, 2019
The Nittany Lions convert 2️⃣ thanks to @pat_fry5!
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) December 28, 2019
Penn State takes a 53-39 lead with 6:31 to play. #GoodyearCottonBowl #WeAre https://t.co/kalRMVh7B1
Cain up to 90 yards and 2 touchdowns on 14 carries now. Penn State leads Memphis, 53-39, with 6:31 left in the game. #CottonBowl
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
Right place, right time pic.twitter.com/2h9W6nBmV4
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 28, 2019
No need to bother with a surname, any more, for the @PennStateFball star LB. https://t.co/UL8KRFVAzr
— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) December 28, 2019
Riley Patterson connects for his 200th field goal of the game. Penn State leads, 45-39, with 12:01 left in the fourth quarter. #CottonBowl
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
Riley Patterson FG Watch: 6-of-6
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
42, 41, 51, 44, 37, 48
He has scored 21 total points so far today. Fun fact: That's 21 points more than Miami's entire offense scored in the Independence Bowl.
Micah Parsons with the delayed blitz and demolishes Brady White. What a game for Parsons. #CottonBowl
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
Micah Parsons has absolutely played out of his mind today ... but that might've been a dropped pick-six.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
Sheesh that man Micah really like that
— Grant Haley (@haleyboy10) December 28, 2019
#11 is special
— Lamar Stevens (@LamarStevens11) December 28, 2019
Announced #CottonBowl attendance: 54,828
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
Journey Brown has already set a career high, and we're still in the third quarter.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
He has 171 rushing yards on 10 carries. Previous high was 124 yards vs. Minnesota.
Interception. Taylor will be credited with the score, but Parsons was the one responsible.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
Micah Parsons is going to be in the Heisman discussion at some point next season. #CottonBowl
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
And there's your turning point.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
Looked like Brady White just tried to shovel it forward, but Garrett Taylor returned it for a TD after pressure by Micah Parsons.
I don't know if that's a fumble or a pick. But I do know it's 7 points for PSU.
PSU 45-36 w/ :38 left in 3Q
Regardless of outcome, good decision to go for it here. #CottonBowl
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
Memphis with their fifth field goal of the game to cut the lead to two once again. Penn State leads, 38-36, with 3:32 left in the third quarter.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
Memphis K Riley Patterson is a robot. Convince me otherwise.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
5-for-5 on FGs today. 41, 51, 44, 37, 48
Well, James Franklin did say earlier this week that Memphis reminded him a bit of Pitt.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
Pitt threw for a season-high 372 yards against PSU. Memphis has 330 passing yards midway through the 3rd quarter.
Penn State gets leads 38-33 after a 45-yard Jake Pinegar field goal. Nittany Lions were moving the ball until a four-yard loss by Clifford and two holding penalties on Will Fries stalled the drive out.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
.@jpinegar10 connects from 4️⃣5️⃣ to take a 38-33 lead with 7:13 to go in Q3! #GoodyearCottonBowl #WeAre pic.twitter.com/BEvQWfssE1
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) December 28, 2019
After back-to-back holding calls on Will Fries, PSU will have to settle for a FG attempt. Brutal series.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
I know I'm not exactly going out on a limb here ... but something tells me we'll be seeing Memphis' Riley Patterson kicking on Sundays.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
His FGs so far today: 51, 44, 37, 48. He's 21-of-23 this year.
Memphis has the Penn State lead down to two after a 51-yard field goal. The Nittany Lions need to get their offense back on track and that starts with Clifford. #CottonBowl
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
Interception confirmed.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
What an up-and-down game for these two teams. Just when it looks as if one team's ready to pull away, the other comes roaring back. https://t.co/luSx5zI5Jv
A brutal start to the second half for Sean Clifford and the Penn State offense. Two low throws and the second results in a pick for Memphis. #CottonBowl
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
THE MEMPHIS SPECIAL pic.twitter.com/IFvVeFPxy2
— ESPN (@espn) December 28, 2019
At the half, Penn State is up 35-23 over Memphis in the Cotton Bowl. pic.twitter.com/aZNwFjDw5b
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) December 28, 2019
The 28 points scored by #PennState in the second quarter tie the Cotton Bowl record for points in any quarter, equaling the 28 points scored by USC in the first quarter against Texas Tech in 1995.
— Kris Petersen (@GoPSUKris) December 28, 2019
The 35 points scored by Penn State in the 1st half set the Cotton Bowl record for points in the 1st half, breaking the mark of 34 pts. set by USC (1995).
— Kris Petersen (@GoPSUKris) December 28, 2019
The 28 points scored in the 2nd quarter are Cotton Bowl record (prev. rec. 21 by Rice (1938), Notre Dame (1978) & LSU (2011).
One of the best runs of the year by @JourneyBrown6. Physicality at its finest. https://t.co/hpcTYSECrx
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) December 28, 2019
I stand by this prediction https://t.co/Dwg9oVA9zZ
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownCFB) December 28, 2019
Micah Parsons' ho-hum first half: 10 tackles (5 solos), two TFLs, sack, 2 forced fumbles, one pass break up. Parsons now has 105 tackles this season.
— Bob Flounders (@BobbyFlo7) December 28, 2019
If you like offense, this first half was for you:
— Joe Juliano (@JoeJulesinq) December 28, 2019
Total offense -- Penn State 301, Memphis 299
Rushing -- Penn State 209, Memphis 48
Passing -- Memphis 251, Penn State 92
Avg per play -- Penn State 8.1 on 37 plays, Memphis 6.0 on 50.
Memphis will receive to start the 2nd half
Penn State RB rushing stats at the half:
— Ben Ferree (@BFerree_) December 28, 2019
Brown - 5 att, 96 yds, 2 TDs
Slade - 4 att, 57 yds
Cain - 4 att, 24 yds, TD
Ford - 1 att, 2 yds, TD
The 58 total points scored by PSU and Memphis this half is a #CottonBowl record. The previous record was 45 points, tied three times.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
PSU heads into halftime with a 35-23 lead.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
Reminder: The over/under was at 59.5 points. You shouldn't have taken the under.
Nah that’s @JourneyBrown6 doing his thing https://t.co/0WARRcAupi
— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) December 28, 2019
#PennState’s 28 points in the 2nd quarter are the most in a PSU bowl 2nd quarter, breaking the mark of 21 points set in the 1960 Liberty Bowl and 2017 Rose Bowl.
— Kris Petersen (@GoPSUKris) December 28, 2019
The 35 first half points are also a record, breaking the previous mark of 28 set in the 2017 Fiesta.
Jahan Dotson (@H55ZY) has a TD in back-to-back games.
— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) December 28, 2019
Surely, @PennStateFball fans remember this beauty in the season finale. pic.twitter.com/Lg75IN8ZhS
Great call and great execution on that tunnel screen for a Jahan Dotson touchdown. Ricky Slade fueled the drive with 57 rushing yards and Penn State leads 35-20 with 0:51 left in the first half. #CottonBowl
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
Johnny Hindsight from Champ's checking in ...
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
What's with that timeout?
.@TheSlade_Era UP THE MIDDLE! Another big gain for the Nittany Lions on the ground. #GoodyearCottonBowl #WeAre pic.twitter.com/f8nzsVjkco
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) December 28, 2019
Penn State's offensive line is dominating the Memphis front seven right now. #CottonBowl
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
Memphis responds with a good drive to cut it to a one-possession game. Kenneth Gainwell finishes the drive with a rushing touchdown. Penn State leads 28-20.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
Memphis scores to cut the #PennState lead to 28-20 with 3:15 left in the 2nd quarter.
— Kris Petersen (@GoPSUKris) December 28, 2019
️ play was all @JourneyBrown6 needed! ️#GoodyearCottonBowl #WeAre pic.twitter.com/NEe1eYpTLx
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) December 28, 2019
2Q: Penn State 28, Memphis 13
— Mike Poorman (@PSUPoorman) December 28, 2019
Last 3 possessions:
- PSU: 13 plays, 123 yds., TD, TD, TD
- Memphis: 11 plays, minus 18 yds.
This is what I’m talking about Penn State football!!!
— Tamba Hali (@TambaHali91) December 28, 2019
Need to watch those Journey Brown TDs back-to-back.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
First TD: Flashes power, breaks 4 tackles en route to 32-yard TD.
Second TD: 56-yard TD up the middle. Was never touched and outran everyone.#LawnBoyz
Journey Brown is very good. #CottonBowl
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
Pat Freiermuth is special. @PennStateFball is very lucky he’s coming back next year. Would probably be an early day 2 pick if he left. https://t.co/5kxd8nh7TN
— Adam Breneman (@AdamBreneman81) December 28, 2019
Ouch. https://t.co/PsdIhQIv4I
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
TOUCHDOWN!
— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) December 28, 2019
Devyn Ford punches it in to stretch the @PennStateFball lead. pic.twitter.com/SmYluyWO8T
This Cotton Bowl game is physical!
— Darien Harris (@DHarris_45) December 28, 2019
Penn State punches it in from the one. Devyn Ford gets the touchdown after Pat Freiermuth trucks a defender on the previous play. 21-13, Penn State. 7:47 left in the first half.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
.@TsunamiFord punches it in after @pat_fry5 got the Nittany Lions close!
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) December 28, 2019
Penn State takes a 21-13 lead with 7:47 to go in Q2! #GoodyearCottonBowl #WeAre pic.twitter.com/kk2UOlRTOD
After gaining 173 yards on its first three drives, Memphis has now gained minus-23 yards on its last two drives. pic.twitter.com/MzYzwt4RCD
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
Yetur Gross-Matos just ripped Brady White down with one hand. Memphis follows it with an absolute shank of a punt. Nittany Lions will have a very short field to increase their lead here. #CottonBowl
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
DJ Dozier and Saquon Barkley are the other freshman RBs with 7.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
PSU RB Noah Cain has tied the school record for rushing TDs as a freshman with 7.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
Not bad for a player who essentially missed 4-5 games with an injury.
It's been 77 days since Noah Cain last scored a TD. (Spent most of that time injured.)
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
But he and Journey Brown have looked great so far in the #CottonBowl.
Cain -- 4 carries, 24 yards, 1 TD
Brown -- 4 carries, 40 yards, 1 TD
Noah Cain punches it in and Penn State takes the lead back from the Tigers. 14-13, Nittany Lions. 11:14 left in the first half.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
Memphis DB La'Andre Thomas reads the screen to K.J. Hamler but it doesn't matter. Hamler blows by him and gets the ball down to the 1-yard line. #CottonBowl
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
I believe I just heard a groan up here in the press box when Clifford tossed another bubble screen ... but the speedy KJ Hamler turned it upfield 14 yards -- just 2 yards shy of the end zone.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
KJ could be playing in his last PSU game today. Hasn't announced an NFL draft decision
️️️ @therealnoahcain #GoodyearCottonBowl #WeAre pic.twitter.com/lzuvjqhpWn
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) December 28, 2019
Prior to today, Noah Cain has had just one carry since the MSU game.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
“I’m really anxious to play. I’m ready to go. I’m really excited, so I can’t wait.”https://t.co/7GGb4d8m3M
Penn State holds Memphis to a field goal. Nittany Lions trail, 13-7.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
All you need to see in 4 pictures. Journey Brown straight muscled his way into the end zone. 32-yard TD run. 7-3 Penn State. @WJACTV #CottonBowl #PressBox pic.twitter.com/x0zBXbfd9e
— Candace Martino (@CandaceMartino) December 28, 2019
Parsons is the 7th player in #PennState history with 100 tackles and 10 TFL in a season. He is the first since Mike Hull in 2014.
— Kris Petersen (@GoPSUKris) December 28, 2019
PSU has had one designed run so far ... and it went for a 32-yard TD. https://t.co/Yn29SrqLkf
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
This game is going to be a fun one. Memphis responds with a quick scoring drive punctuated by a 3-yard Patrick Taylor Jr. touchdown run. 10-7, Tigers. #CottonBowl
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
We're not even halfway through the first quarter of this #CottonBowl, and Penn State has already allowed 118 passing yards.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
R.I.P. "Under" bet slips
Memphis 10-7 w/ 7:44 left in 1Q
Journey Brown went BEAST MODE to put Penn State in front pic.twitter.com/Vh7QdzQyxJ
— Yahoo Sports College Football (@YahooSportsCFB) December 28, 2019
Journey Brown has taken control of the starting running back job at Penn State. The redshirt sophomore just took it 32 yards for a touchdown. 7-3, Penn State. #CottonBowl
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
Grown man run right there @JourneyBrown6
— Trace McSorley (@McSorley_IX) December 28, 2019
What a run by Journey Brown. He evaded four tacklers on his way to a 32-yard TD run.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
He's more than just PSU's "speed" guy. Amazing the strides he's made since last season.
PSU 7-3 w/ 9:56 left in 1Q
PSU fans can thank Micah Parsons for blowing that drive up.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
Memphis settles for a 48-yard FG -- but it could've been worse for PSU. Parsons sniffed out a reverse for a 10-yard loss.
Memphis 3-0 w/ 10:52 left in 1Q
What a read by Micah Parsons to blow up the reverse.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
Sean Clifford off the mark on two of three throws. One overthrow and one near-interception. He can't stare down receivers like he did on the last one. #CottonBowl
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) December 28, 2019
That was ... not an inspiring start for Penn State.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
Clifford appears to have some nerves here in this early going, and he's lucky that last pass wasn't intercepted.
PSU and interim OC Tyler Bowen start off with a 3-and-out.
Looks/sounds like Penn State fans are outnumbered here in the #CottonBowl by Memphis.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
It's close, but it's still pretty obvious.
HERE WE GO, @PennStateFball!#WeAre | #LikeNoOther pic.twitter.com/0XD0uZPj8d
— Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic (@CottonBowlGame) December 28, 2019
A view from the office today. #CottonBowl kicks off in about 10 minutes. pic.twitter.com/DnxKykkU1Z
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
Yetur Gross-Matos warming up with a club on his left hand. Seems to be the same injury that happened in the Ohio State game. Rob Windsor now without a club.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) December 28, 2019
Pregame reading before the #CottonBowl
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
Honoring Triplett, 1948: https://t.co/r7pRjECmQz
RB Cain: https://t.co/7GGb4d8m3M
Player reaction to new OC: https://t.co/jkKCHPobXJ
K Ellis Q&A: https://t.co/10DqQYu8X6
Keys: https://t.co/cWs9Glj8H6
5 things: https://t.co/uuxRvNO5Xn
Hey Penn State it’s Leah #WEARE Penn State pic.twitter.com/3OsWwXB0ix
— Devon Still (@Dev_Still71) December 28, 2019
Good luck in the @CottonBowlGame, @PennStateFball - all of your friends at @PennStHershey will be cheering for you! pic.twitter.com/2xAawoLeMu
— Four Diamonds (@fourdiamonds) December 28, 2019
#LessssssssssssssssssssssGO https://t.co/OhxvGUi5a3
— Sandy Barbour (@SandyB_PSUAD) December 28, 2019
AT&T Stadium#WeAre pic.twitter.com/e5M2FiSAxx
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) December 28, 2019
Penn State has arrived at AT&T Stadium for the 84th Cotton Bowl. pic.twitter.com/kfCIiPvNz8
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) December 28, 2019
New @PennStateFball OC in the house. pic.twitter.com/aigDaWqeiw
— Mark Brennan (@MarkXBrennan) December 28, 2019
PSU has arrived at AT&T Stadium #CottonBowl pic.twitter.com/ZkjHf0HtYQ
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
One last ride this season. Let's do this. @PennStateFball x @CottonBowlGame pic.twitter.com/kTcL7p55c4
— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) December 28, 2019
Here at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, where No. 10 Penn State will take on No. 17 Memphis in the 84th Cotton Bowl Classic.
— Josh Moyer (@ByJoshMoyer) December 28, 2019
Kicks off at noon ET. pic.twitter.com/LBMpIgGf4Y
Take a look inside AT&T Stadium on the eve of the Cotton Bowl. https://t.co/tE19ras5dp pic.twitter.com/xp6ciIvuel
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) December 28, 2019
Other stories worth your time
Penn State Nittany Lions to honor Wally Triplett, 1948 Cotton Bowl team with helmet decal Saturday
Nittany Lion gets tire art makeover as part of Cotton Bowl tradition
Why RB Noah Cain ‘definitely’ expects to play in the Cotton Bowl for the Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State AD talks release of James Franklin’s contract, renovations, parking, and more
How players reacted to the Penn State Nittany Lions hiring former Minnesota OC Kirk Ciarrocca
State College’s Keaton Ellis talks Penn State Nittany Lions, food, ‘freshman wall,’ and more in Q&A
5 things to watch in Saturday’s Cotton Bowl between Penn State and Memphis
Former Minnesota OC Kirk Ciarrocca named Penn State Nittany Lions’ new offensive coordinator
How to watch the Penn State Nittany Lions’ Cotton Bowl vs. Memphis: TV channel, live stream & more
How can Memphis upset the Penn State Nittany Lions? Here are the Cotton Bowl’s 2 key matchups
This story was originally published December 28, 2019 at 10:21 AM.
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