Penn State 16, Wisconsin 10: What happened and what we thought
CDT staff reports
Follow along as Centre Daily Times writers Jon Sauber and Kyle J. Andrews critique Penn State football’s season opener against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, and visual journalist Abby Drey captures scenes from on the field.
After a scoreless first half, Penn State came out scoring in the second half, securing a 16-10 upset victory after two late interceptions sealed the deal.
Here’s what’s happened:
1. Defense = real deal.
— Kyle J. Andrews (@KyleJAndrews_) September 4, 2021
2. Offense... they improved throughout the day.
3. Dotson is explosive.
4. Mellusi is one of the best backs in the conference already.
5. Kicking game... woof.
My 5 takeaways from #PennState's 16-10 upset victory over Wisconsin:https://t.co/TidLWWRNPw
Penn State starts the season with a 16-10 win over Wisconsin #weare pic.twitter.com/6dnMDl74Jt
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) September 4, 2021
I had 27-24, Penn State. This was an ugly game, but an important way to start the season for the Nittany Lions. https://t.co/wsDjD9IUgL
— Kyle J. Andrews (@KyleJAndrews_) September 4, 2021
Penn State football (1-0, 1-0) came out scoring in the second half of Saturday’s matchup with the Wisconsin Badgers (0-1, 0-1) at Camp Randall Stadium to earn the 16-10 upset victory. (by @JonSauber) https://t.co/R8IZq7ewqa
— Centre Daily Times (@centredaily) September 4, 2021
There's still plenty of football left to be played this year, but going 0-1 could have led to a slippery slope. Now Penn State has some momentum to carry into what could be a difficult five weeks.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
That'll do it, No. 19 Penn State knocks off No. 12 Wisconsin at Camp Randall. That's a massive win for the Nittany Lions.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Enormous call. Intentional grounding means Wisconsin has 10 seconds to score.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Penn State is bringing pressure, but it's not getting there and it's letting Wisconsin work in 1-on-1 situations.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
THE PENN STATE DEFENSE DOES IT AGAIN @PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/HcPIOzoYnH
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 4, 2021
Jaquan Brisker made the play of the game with that interception. No one you want more than him after going down multiple times through the game with a shoulder and ankle. His toughness paid off for the team.
— Kyle J. Andrews (@KyleJAndrews_) September 4, 2021
What a massive play by Jaquan Brisker. Earlier this week, I profiled his journey after the loss of his brother.https://t.co/hPbEFPsUBi
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
That targeting call is going to hurt. Tough for Ellis Brooks to tackle him and Mertz is lowering his helmet. Ohio State got away with one on Thursday.
— Kyle J. Andrews (@KyleJAndrews_) September 4, 2021
Turns out, it's targeting. Ellis Brooks has been ejected. https://t.co/GhwfodCZ9l
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Stout just clanked that extra point off the upright about as hard as you can. 16-10, Penn State.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Not only did Penn State get the back less than a minute later, but the offense also scored a touchdown just over two minutes later. https://t.co/fctObSwBdC
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Noah Cain may not be the most explosive athlete in the world, but his balance is about as good as it gets and it's made it incredibly hard for Wisconsin to bring him down in the open field.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Another big play for a Penn State offense that seems like it's going to subsist on them. That one would've been a touchdown if Dotson didn't have to come back for it.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Stout gets back on track and makes the field goal. We're all tied up at 10. Will be interesting to see how much time is on the clock when Penn State gets the ball back.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
That Cain run is a good start. https://t.co/qlhOeourOb
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Wisconsin takes its first lead of the day after a 43-yard field goal by Collin Larsh. Penn State is going to need an answer. Very few teams can kill clock as well as the Badgers.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
And now Ebiketie is back in the game.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Clifford had Dotson for another sure touchdown there. That's a throw you have to make.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Jordan Stout apparently didn't take anything off his plate and instead also added shorter FGs to his list... this one a 23-yard miss.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) September 4, 2021
Again, Clifford handles the pressure well and finds an open KeAndre Lambert-Smith for 52 yards.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
First bad drive for Penn State's defense. Very few positive plays and both Brisker and Ebiketie went down.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
HANNNNN
— Pat Freiermuth (@pat_fry5) September 4, 2021
PSU DE Arnold Ebiketie is walking to the locker room after being slow to get up after the play. Jaquan Brisker walked off but is back on the bike on the sideline.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) September 4, 2021
Announced attendance at Camp Randall: 76,832
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Brisker makes a great tackle in space, but stayed down after the play. Ebiketie is also down.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
That's got to be a shot in the arm for Penn State. The offense needed a drive like that to force Wisconsin to be more aggressive offensively.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
There's the confidence Clifford talked about. Threw a good ball to a wide open Jahan Dotson after navigating the pocket well and not letting the pressure get to him. He looked like a completely different quarterback on that drive.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
0-0 at the half here in Madison pic.twitter.com/gxJCTJkdQZ
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) September 4, 2021
Good pressure by Castro-Fields to force Graham Mertz to roll out and settle underneath. Penn State will get the ball back with just over two minutes left in the half.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Penn State's defense comes up with another big play. Fumble recovery by Nick Tarburton. Still 0-0 somehow with how the offense has played.
— Kyle J. Andrews (@KyleJAndrews_) September 4, 2021
Wisconsin has had two excellent scoring opportunities and has come away with zero points so far.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Penn State's offense is failing to gain traction.
— Elton Hayes (@EHDC12) September 4, 2021
Nittany Lions have 35 yards and one first down with 11:58 left to play in the second quarter.
Okay, Arnold Ebiketie, you have my full attention.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) September 4, 2021
The Penn State DE (Temple transfer) has been relentless today, including a sack and blocked FG so far.
BLOCKED @A7chronic is doing it all today for @PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/pPYUL5uJIL
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 4, 2021
Penn State’s defense is getting an A++ from me so far. Blocked kick. Multiple stops with a short field. Shaping up to be one of the best in the country if this keeps up.
— Kyle J. Andrews (@KyleJAndrews_) September 4, 2021
Impressive stop by the Penn State defense against a Wisconsin program that usually gets what it wants at the goal line. Per @audsnyder4 it looks like Ebiketie got a hand on that field goal attempt.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
He's walking off with his helmet off.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Clifford had a clean pocket and Theo Johnson open in the middle of the field but sailed it high and outside.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Transfer Arnold Ebiketie (@A7chronic) is already making his presence felt for @PennStateFball pic.twitter.com/13aNSByH58
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 4, 2021
Ebiketie just worked Tyler Beach to force what was originally called a fumble, but is now being ruled an incomplete pass. Jaquan Brisker was down after the play but is walking off the field.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Sean Clifford is 4-for-7 with 37 yards. Wisconsin is getting pressure on him and he’s made some errant throws. Throwing the ball at his receiver’s feet on a 4th down conversion play is tough.
— Kyle J. Andrews (@KyleJAndrews_) September 4, 2021
Clifford did a good job of finding Parker Washington on what looked like a corner route on that drive, but it looks like the defensive pressure is really bothering him so far.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
That's an important stop for Penn State. Couldn't afford to let Wisconsin walk down the field after a 3-and-out.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
That didn't take long. Arnold Ebiketie blew up that play before it could get started.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Sean Clifford hesitates and eats a sack for the three-and-out. That's the kind of hesitation Penn State can't afford against a defense this good.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Penn State lines up with two tight ends with KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Jahan Dotson at wide receiver.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Devyn Ford lets the kickoff go over his head. The Mike Yurcich era will begin at the 25-yard line.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Penn State will receive the opening kickoff.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) September 4, 2021
See four running backs thus far for Penn State. Noah Cain, Caziah Holmes, Devyn Ford and Keyvone Lee are currently on the field with Ja’Juan Seider. No sign of John Lovett.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Wisconsin will be without one of its best defensive players this afternoon. https://t.co/0L30Iem77w
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Fans greeted the Penn State buses as they pulled in, Mrs. Clifford led a "We Are" chant, and Franklin came over the thank them. Football is back. pic.twitter.com/2kMyR2Gblf
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) September 4, 2021
Views from today’s office. No.19 Penn State takes on No. 12 Wisconsin here at Camp Randall Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. local time. pic.twitter.com/929XRF5c9a
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 4, 2021
Good morning from Madison, Wisconsin. pic.twitter.com/ilatdWtaAd
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) September 4, 2021
This story was originally published September 4, 2021 at 10:40 AM.