LIVE BLOG: Updates, instant analysis, photos and video from Penn State football vs. Villanova
CDT staff reports
The 3-0 Nittany Lions are taking on FCS foe Villanova at Beaver Stadium on Saturday. Follow reporters Jon Sauber and Kyle J. Andrews for updates and analysis throughout the game, and visual journalist Abby Drey for scenes from on the field.
Penn State beat Villanova 38-17 to improve to 4-0 on the season, as the Nittany Lions close out their non-conference schedule.
Here’s what’s happened so far:
Penn State football beat Villanova 38-17 to stay undefeated
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) September 25, 2021
I know a little late, got caught up in post game pressers and editing! https://t.co/jRrlMDyiOJ pic.twitter.com/Ek9kbsFcEq
Villanova scores again to make it 38-17. The fourth string defense is not quite as good as the first string defense. Shocker, I know.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Former @SpaldingFB standout Zakee Wheatley just made his first collegiate tackle.
— Kyle J. Andrews (@KyleJAndrews_) September 25, 2021
Marquis Wilson with two catches on screens this drive and he's making the most of them, making guys miss in the open field.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Ta'Quan Roberson is in the game at quarterback.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Villanova gets its first touchdown of the day. Rayjoun Pringle hauls in the pass from Daniel Smith for a 57-yard touchdown. Penn State freshman Kalen King was in coverage on the play. 38-10, PSU.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Tyler Warren in the wildcast. He runs it in for a three-yard touchdown to make it 38-3.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
This, per a press box announcement.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
105,790 is today’s attendance at Beaver Stadium.
— Kyle J. Andrews (@KyleJAndrews_) September 25, 2021
Clifford had both Dotson and Washington relatively open there. He picks Washington for a 23-yard touchdown. 31-3, Penn State.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Penn State ran a stunt along its defensive line and there was nobody left to block Arnold Ebiketie. Free shot at Smith earns him the sack.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Kshawn Schulters gets the pick on a ball that should've been caught by Lambert-Smith for a first down. Concentration drop.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Jaquan Brisker just drilled Villanova quarterback Daniel Smith to earn the hurry. Penn State with yet another short field after the punt. Nittany Lion ball at the Villanova 49.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
This Ji'Ayir Brown interception will count. Great play by Tariq Castro-Fields to break up the pass and tip it to Brown.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
8️⃣3️⃣ yards & to the for @PennStateFball!!
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 25, 2021
The aerial attack is on point today pic.twitter.com/pi3qJb0XU9
Penn State scores on another big play, this time from Clifford to KeAndre Lambert-Smith for an 83-yard score. 24-3, PSU.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
training staff put Will on the backboard & the cart is driving him off. Villanova’s entire team came over to the cart. https://t.co/i6cWfRRjmK
— Daniel Gallen (@danieljtgallen) September 25, 2021
Penn State is leading Villanova 17-3 as we get ready for the second half pic.twitter.com/YbnTrNHHtT
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) September 25, 2021
Penn State goes into the half up 17-3 on Villanova.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
So, Villanova found out on Wednesday that their punter would be unavailable this week. This is their backup QB turned emergency punter. Can't imagine a bigger place to have to step into than Beaver Stadium.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) September 25, 2021
Jordan Stout with his first punt of the day. Pins Villanova at the 5.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Penn State's run game is pretty bad right now.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Penn State gets its first sack of the day, with PJ Mustipher earning it. Penn State with another short field after the Villanova punt, beginning its next drive at the 50-yard-line.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Stout with his second field goal of the day to make it 17-3. Tough not to score a touchdown there after it looked like Washington might have had one in the first place.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
That's quite the play design by Mike Yurcich. Clifford steps left after getting the snap and throws back across his body to Parker Washington. Had plenty of space to lead Washington but the sophomore has to come back to the ball on what could have been a long touchdown.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Johnny Dixon nearly had a pick-six on the drive, but Penn State will settle for a punt. The talent gap is apparent today. Will be curious to see how long the offensive starters stay in, given the need to get Ta'Quan Roberson snaps at quarterback.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Parker Washington showing off his excellent hands once again. Catches the laser from Clifford and runs it in for a second 52-yard touchdown for Penn State. 14-3, Nittany Lions.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Sean Clifford stays behind the line of scrimmage to find an open Theo Johnson for a first down. Nittany Lions up 7-3 at the end of the first quarter. Really thought that margin would be wider after Penn State's first offensive play.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Villanova gets on the board with a 39-yard field goal. Penn State up 7-3 and set to start its third offensive drive of the day.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Ji'Ayir Brown gets what might be the easiest interception of his life on a tipped pass but its coming back for roughing the passer.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Keaton Ellis is in the game at safety for Penn State.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Not a great drive from Clifford there, missing a few open receivers. Nice job of navigating the pocket there on third down, but he has to get set when he finds an opening to throw. Drive ends with a Jordan Stout missed field goal.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Penn State's defense with another quick stop. Let's see if Villanova can make the Nittany Lion offense run more than one play on this drive.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
That was easy! @seancliff14 finds @H55ZY for the TD on @PennStateFball's first play of the day. pic.twitter.com/JIhdAWfSsy
— Penn State On BTN (@PennStateOnBTN) September 25, 2021
I have no idea why Villanova left its corner on an island there against Dotson. It went about as poorly as you'd expect.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Sean Clifford leads Jahan Dotson beautifully on a post route and its already 7-0. So yeah, that's how today is gonna go.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
A Villanova chop block stalls out its first offensive drive. Penn State now with a short field on its own 48 to start its first drive.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
Villanova's coach Mark Ferrante and Penn State's James Franklin chat as their teams warm up pic.twitter.com/c22XGstcTH
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) September 25, 2021
Penn State DL Hakeem Beamon is in sweats. S Keaton Ellis & RB John Lovett look poised to play for the second straight week.
— Daniel Gallen (@danieljtgallen) September 25, 2021
Mathias Barnwell commits to Penn State just before the Nittany Lions kick off against Villanova. Barnwell was previously committed to the Nittany Lions and is a four-star TE, per the 247Sports Composite player rankings. https://t.co/poKBE5eM8W
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
another day in our favorite place pic.twitter.com/1Fa3iRAzM2
— Penn State Football (@PennStateFball) September 25, 2021
Beaver Stadium #GoNova pic.twitter.com/EVzrEE3qUk
— Villanova Football (@NovaFootball) September 25, 2021
Good morning from Beaver Stadium. Penn State and Villanova are on the field going through warm ups, kick off is at noon pic.twitter.com/kkAaPdNi4f
— Abby Drey (@ADreyPhotos) September 25, 2021
FYI: Brian Westbrook is expected to be in Beaver Stadium today to watch Villanova.
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) September 25, 2021
View from today’s office.
— Jon Sauber (@JonSauber) September 25, 2021
No. 6 Penn State is set to take on Villanova at noon. The 3-0 Wildcats are ranked No. 11 in the Stats Perform FCS top 25. pic.twitter.com/RefDxttUq8
This story was originally published September 25, 2021 at 10:57 AM.